Temporal variation of microbial population in acclimation and start-up period of a thermophilic desulfurization biofilter. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Jingying; Li, Lin; Liu, Junxin; Han, Yunping
• Is Part Of: International biodeterioration & biodegradation. Volume 109(2016)
• Page Start: 157
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Thermophilic biofilter -- SO2 -- Desulfurization bacteria -- Acclimatization -- Start-up period -- DGGE analysis; Biodegradation -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Biodegradation -- Periodicals; Biodégradation -- Périodiques; Biorestauration -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2016.01.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-8305

Abstract

Abstract: Microorganisms in a biofilter play important roles in the gas contaminants treatment process. In this study, thermophilic desulfurization bacteria were inoculated in a thermophilic biofilter for SO2 treatment after acclimation and enrichment. Molecular biology techniques were applied to detect temporal variation of microbial population during acclimation and biofilter start-up period. The acclimation temperatures were 50, 55, and 60 °C. Desulfurization bacteria dominated the enrichments. During acclimation, desulfurization bacteria and thermophilic bacteria increased from 36.84% to 78.95%–52.94% and 88.24%, respectively. In addition, the microbial diversity indices of these enrichments decreased with time. Substrate species and acclimation temperature influenced the microbial structure of the enrichments. The thermophilic biofilter inoculated with enrichments could achieve a rapid start-up, and over 80% of removal efficiency could be obtained within two weeks. The maximum elimination capacity was 38.71 g m −3 h −1 at 152 mg m −3 inlet concentration. The total sulfur bacteria proportion increased obviously during the start-up period. Moreover, desulfurization bacteria that originally existed in inocula, e.g., Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus thioparans, Microbacterium sp., and Thermoanaerobacteriaceae, were abundant in the thermophilic biofilter for SO2 removal. Highlights: Temporal variation of microbial population during acclimatization. Microbial characteristics in a thermophilic biofilter during the start-up period. The enrichment population relies on substrate species and acclimation temperature. Inoculation hastens acclimation and does not affect removal efficiency. Desulfurization and thermophilic bacteria dominated the biofilter after the start-up.