Effect of fishing industries effluents pH and organic load on the methanogenic bacteria biofilm developed over support in fixed biomass reactor

The effect of pH and organic matter (total organic carbon, TOC) of effluent s originating from fishing industries located in Talcahuano, Chile, on the ability to colonize different trophic group methanogenic bacteria (MB) over clay and polyethylene supports was evaluated. Both support materials enhan ced all types of methanogenic bacterial growth compared to systems without support. The highest adherence was obtained at pH 8. At 8000 mg/l TOC, this had a significant effect on the growth rate of hydrogenotropic and methyla minotrophic methanogens on polyethylene and clay, respectively. (C) 1999 Ac ademic Press.