Investigating the Functional and Structural Adaptation Changes of Biofilm Communities Toward Better Azo-dye Wastewater Treatment
Journal Title: International Journal of Environment and Climate Change - Year 2016, Vol 6, Issue 4
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the functional and structural adaptation changes in three biofilm communities purifying azo-dye contaminated wastewater. Study Design: Three lab-scale sand biofilters were constructed for treating wastewater with azo-dye. The dye amaranth was chosen as model toxicant and its concentration was gradually increased in the wastewater from 10 mg/L up to 55 mg/L. The biofilters functioned for 26 days. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Environmental biotechnology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 2011-2013 year. Methodology: The residual amaranth concentration, efficiency and rate of its removal were monitored. The diagnostics of the functional structure of the biofilms is based on a cross analysis of data from culturable, culture-independent (fluorescent in-situ hybridization - FISH) and digital (digital image processing) techniques. Results: The efficiency of the biofilters varied from 88.35% up to 95.97%. Three phases of the azo-detoxification process were distinguished. In the early phase of functioning (0-191 h) culturable Pseudomonas sp. had key role in azo-degradation as their part of the community was about 70% for the three biofilters. In the late phase of functioning (191-455 h) the biofilters eliminated 2 times higher concentration of amaranth. The mean value for the part of the microorganisms from g. Pseudomonas, calculated on the base of FISH, remained unchanged (42%). Simultaneously the cultivation techniques showed significantly decreased part of Pseudomonas sp. (4-10%). This suggest an important role of the unculturable Pseudomonas sp. In the ending period (455-623 h) the rate of amaranth removal was increased with 20%. Well-formed zones with high concentration of bacteria from g. Pseudomonas were found in the biofilms which indicated formation of cooperative relationships. Conclusion: This study shows three-stage mechanism of development of amaranth degradation potential. It includes successive importance of culurable, unculturable bacteria and cooperation in the g. Pseudomonas.
Authors and Affiliations
Mihaela Belouhova, Yana Topalova
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP350474
- DOI 10.9734/BJECC/2016/27466
- Views 121
- Downloads 0
Energy Performance and Improvement Potentials for Selected Heritage Building Adaptation in England
Public heritage buildings (PHBs) were evaluated with the aim to determine their operational energy performance and the objectives of identifying improvement potentials for their long term sustainable reuse. Six listed ch...
A Study of Urban Heat Island using “Local Climate Zones” – The Case of Singapore
Aims: The study of urban heat islands and traditionally relies on simplistic descriptors such as “urban” and “rural”. While these descriptors may be evocative of the landscape, they are insufficient in providing informat...
Editorial: Interactions between Urbanization, Climate Variability and Its Impact on Surface Waters
More than half the world’s population now lives in cities and the trend of increasing urbanization is expected to continue. Some estimates report that 10% of the world’s population (or 600 million people) live in low lev...
Participation or Exploitation: How Can Concepts of Community and Privatization Coalesce around Water Efficiency Approaches?
The need to promote water efficient technologies and initiatives is increasingly a central feature of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Attendant to this is a growing focus by IWRM practitioners of the role t...
Monitoring Drainage Water Quality during Green Roof Irrigation Trials Using Synthetic Greywater
Aims: To evaluate the potential for substituting green roof mains water irrigation by irrigation using lightly loaded synthetic greywater. Study Design: The planted green roof system was designed to be operated and teste...