Biological degradation of winery wastes and the effect of an ozone pretreatment

Wastewaters generated in the wine distillery are degraded in experiments by aerobic microorganisms in a batch reactor, where the initial substrate and biomass were varied. Final removal of organic matter measured as COD aroun d 90% was obtained, while the total phenolic content was reduced in the ran ge of 65-80%. The application of the Contois model to the experimental resu lts provided values for q(max) and K-s of 0.396 ma subs/(mg VSSAh) and 10.6 1 mg subs/mg VSS, respectively, as well as a cellular yield coefficient Y-X /S=0.537 g biomass produced/g substrate consumed and a kinetic constant for the death phase of k(d)=3.3x10(-2) h(-1). The effect of an ozonation pretr eatment on the latter aerobic degradation is also reported and discussed.