Comparative study of cellulose waste versus organic waste as substrate in a sulfate reducing bioreactor

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 102; no. 6; pp. 4319 - 4324
• Main Authors: Choudhary, R.P., Sheoran, A.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acid mine drainage; Acids - metabolism; Animals; Applied sciences; Bacteria; Biodegradability; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; Cellulose - analysis; Cellulose waste; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Manure; Metals - isolation & purification; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Mining; Organic Chemicals - analysis; Oxidation-Reduction; Pollution; Substrate; Sulfate reducing bioreactor; Sulfates; Sulfates - metabolism; Treatment; Various methods and equipments; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Waste Products - analysis; Wastes; Substrate; Treatment; Acid mine drainage; Sulfate reducing bioreactor; Cellulose waste; Organic waste; Cellulose; Sulfates; Bioreactor; Mine soil; Acid medium; Drainage water; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2010.08.126

The biodegradability and comparative effectiveness in treatment of acid mine drainage of ten locally available organic waste materials were examined. pH of AMD increased from 2.70 to 6.25, 7.10 and 7.50 with buffalo, cow and goat manures whereas cellulosic wastes increased the pH within the range of 4.83–5.32 in laboratory scale single substrate bioreactors. Significant reduction was observed in Eh, acidity and sulfate with manures in treated AMD. Maximum metal removal efficiency was 99.3%, 99.9%, 99.8%, 99.1%, 99.1%, and 73.8% for Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co and Mn in maximum retention period of 10 days. The highest efficiency of metal removal was observed in bioreactors with manures as single substrate. The effectiveness of substrate depends on its biodegradation ability, the results with cellulosic waste indicates it may need more than 10 days to biodegrade. Biodegradability of organic waste was evaluated according to COD/ SO 4 2 - and C/N ratio and the ratios of 0.48–0.57 and 22.22–23.00 respectively were adequate parameters for activity of sulfate reducing bacteria and pollutant removal efficiency.