The anaerobic biodegradability of paper mill wastewater constituents

R. Sierra‐Alvarez, M. Kato, G. Lettinga

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The biodegradability of ten paper mill wastewater constituents under methanogenic conditions was evaluated in this study. The compounds studied included wood resin constituents and low molecular weight lignin derivatives. Biodegradation was assessed in batch bioassays inoculated with anaerobic granular sludge at 30 ± 2°C. The assays were supplied with low concentrations of the test chemicals (35–200 mg 1−1) to prevent methanogenic inhibition. The long chain fatty acids, oleic and linoleic acid, were readily biodegradable under anaerobic conditions. Guaiacol was also mineralized after a 40 days lag period. However, no indication of methanogenic degradation was obtained with eugenol, benzene, the resin acids (abietic and dehydroabietic acid), the volatile terpenes (pinene and limonene) and the unsaturated hydrocarbon squalene.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)891-898
Number of pages8
JournalEnvironmental Technology (United Kingdom)
Volume11
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1990
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The anaerobic biodegradability of paper mill wastewater constituents'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this