Evaluation of dynamic microbial communities in a styrene-degrading biotrickling filter using 16S rDNA tag pyrosequencing and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
Accurately characterizing microbial communities within bioreactors undergoing dynamic operating conditions is an essential first step towards understanding the relationship between microbial community structure and bioreactor performance. A detailed assessment of the changes in microbial populations within a styrene-degrading biotrickling filter was carried out using samples collected at multiple time points ranging from 21 to 155 days of biotrickling filter operation. Examination of microbial populations was conducted by 16S rDNA tag pyrosequencing and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Validation of pyrosequencing results was performed by quantitative polymerase chain reactio…
Contribution of bacterial biodiversity on the operational performance of a styrene biotrickling filter.
Abstract Long-term operational stability of biotrickling filters (BTFs) degrading volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is dependent on both physicochemical as well as biological properties. Effects of increasingly stressful levels of air pollutants on the microbial structure of biofilms within BTFs are not well understood, especially for VOCs such as styrene. To investigate the relationship between biofilm biodiversity and operational stability, the temporal dynamics of a biofilm from a biotrickling filter subjected to stepwise increasing levels of air polluted with styrene was investigated using 16S rDNA pyrosequencing and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). As styrene con…
Investigating bacterial populations in styrene-degrading biofilters by 16S rDNA tag pyrosequencing
Microbial biofilms are essential components in the elimination of pollutants within biofilters, yet still little is known regarding the complex relationships between microbial community structure and biodegradation function within these engineered ecosystems. To further explore this relationship, 16S rDNA tag pyrosequencing was applied to samples taken at four time points from a styrene-degrading biofilter undergoing variable operating conditions. Changes in microbial structure were observed between different stages of biofilter operation, and the level of styrene concentration was revealed to be a critical factor affecting these changes. Bacterial genera Azoarcus and Pseudomonas were among…
Abatement of styrene waste gas emission by biofilter and biotrickling filter: comparison of packing materials and inoculation procedures.
The removal of styrene was studied using 2 biofilters packed with peat and coconut fibre (BF1-P and BF2-C, respectively) and 1 biotrickling filter (BTF) packed with plastic rings. Two inoculation procedures were applied: an enriched culture with strain Pseudomonas putida CECT 324 for biofilters and activated sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant for the BTF. Inlet loads (ILs) between 10 and 45 g m-3 h-1 and empty bed residence times (EBRTs) from 30 to 120 s were applied. At inlet concentrations ranging between 200 and 400 mg Nm-3, removal efficiencies between 70 and 95% were obtained in the 3 bioreactors. Maximum elimination capacities (ECs) of 81 and 39 g m-3 h-1 were obtained…