Degradation of aromatic compounds by micro-organisms in solid waste samples from landfills and landfill simulation reactors

• The ability by micro-organisms developed in landfilled waste totransform phenol, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), aniline, tetrabromophthalic acid (TBPA), 3-chlorobenzoate (CB) and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) was investigated using a method modified after ISO 17334. Forty-four solid waste samples from landfills and landfill simulation reactors (LSRs) were used. The LSRs were run over a five-year period and simulated acid and methanogenic landfill conditions. The biodegradability of each aromatic compound (0.5-0. 7 mM) was assayed over 100-200 days. The degradation capacity was monitored both by quantification of the aromatic compounds and by methane analysis The degradation capacity for the halogenated aromatics was poor or completely lacking by the landfill inocula investigated showing that this kind of compounds might persist in landfill. TCP inhibited both the methanogenic and fermentative micro-flora present in the waste samples, however, in early LSR assays no inhibition was observed. Phenol and DMP was transformed to non aromatic products in most assays. The biodegradation capacity towards these compounds increased over time in the LSR studies i.e. the acid and early methanogenic land fill phases had no or poor degradation capacity. These results indicates that the earlymethanogcnic tlora developing in landfills and landfill simulation reactors is different from the one later established by being less efficient in transformation of aromatic compounds but also less sensitive to aryl halides.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (hsv//eng)

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INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AREAS

TVÄRVETENSKAPLIGA FORSKNINGSOMRÅDEN

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