Evaluation of a Packed Bed Immobilized Microbe Bioreactor for the Continuous Biodegradation of Contaminated Ground Waters and Industry Effluents: Case Studies

A biological treatment process employing immobilized microbial populations was field tested on contaminated ground waters and industry effluent having elevated concentrations of volatile organics, semi-volatile organics and organic pesticides, respectively. The process, consisting of a packed bed biological reactor, containing specific adapted microbial strains immobilized on a porous diatomaceous earth support was operated in a plug flow configuration over an extended period. General process measurements included temperature, pH, total organic carbon and COD. Microbial adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) measurements provided estimates on immobilized biomass performance. Specific chemical analyses of waste stream constituents were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) methods for both feed and treated streams. Data sets are presented on the biotransformation/biodegradation kinetics of specific volatile organics, organophosphate pesticides and organochlorine pesticides. Additionally, information is presented on the use of this technology in the continuous biotreatmcnt of chlorinated ethanes and ethylenes associated with a contaminated ground water site adjacent to a petrochemical facility. Process viability of this multiple microbe/multiple toxicant treatment approach has been determined based upon comparisons to carbon adsorption technology.