Biodegradability of Nonionic Surfactant Used in the Remediation of Groundwaters Polluted with PCE

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the degradation of the nonionic surfactant Tween 80 by a PCE-degrading consortium anchored in bioparticles of fluidized bed bioreactors used in onsite remediation. Batch lab-scale bioreactors were set with dominant denitrifying (DN), methanogenic (M), and aerobic (Ab) metabolisms. Tween 80 at 100 mg/L was the sole source of carbon and energy. Denitrifying bioreactors had the highest surfactant removal (70%). Tween removals in M and Ab bioreactors were 53 and 37%, respectively. Removals of organic matter (COD) closely followed the efficiencies reported for Tween. This strongly suggested that degradation of Tween 80 occurred. Positive consequences of Tween degradation in remediation are first, the surfactant will not become an environmental/health liability by remaining as a recalcitrant or toxic substance in aquifers or in treated effluents; and second, savings on aeration could be achieved by conducting Tween 80 degradation in anaerobic conditions, either DN or M.

A Review of the Production of Hyaluronic Acid in the Context of Its Integration into GBAER-Type Biorefineries

“…This consortium is immobilized on the carrier and typically forms a biofilm, thus leading to BPs. With adequate acclimation, BPs can degrade chlorinated organic compounds and surfactants [60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72]. The nano decoration is carried out using the biological reduction power (bioreduction) of the biomass immobilized in the BPs with a mixture of a FeCl 3 solution and a degradable source of carbon (such as saccharified liquors from the BRF) in an ancillary methanogenic bioreactor [66,69].…”

Optimization of food‐to‐microorganism ratio and addition of Tween 80 to enhance biohythane production via two‐stage anaerobic digestion of food waste

“…In addition, Tween can be broken down and utilized by microorganisms and has little negative impact on the environment. Previous studies on Tween include the treatment of water pollutants, 20,21 the degradation characteristics of non-ionic surfactants represented by Tween, 22 and the effect of addition of Tween on the production of hydrogen, 23 methane, 18 ethanol and other fuels by AD. 24 Some studies on Tween mainly focused on the SSAD system.…”