| Abstract: | One-dimensional flow experiments on biological clogging were carried out by biostimulating columns packed with glass beads, sterilized, and inoculated with toluene-utilizing bacteria. Biostimulation consisted of continuously injecting toluene at four concentrations (3.0 ± 0.9, 6.1 ± 0.8, 8.7 ± 1.6, and 11.3 ± 0.8 mg/L). The results of column flow experiments indicated that a threshold concentration of toluene exists below which the total biomass in the column can be kept at a steady-state level. The column cores were extruded and segmented to determine the biomass distribution throughout the column at clogging. Clogging resulted in a significant buildup of filamentous bacteria close to the inlet end. Based on the nucleotide sequence of 16S rRNA genes, the dominant filamentous bacteria were identified as Nocardia farcinica. A 235-d column experiment demonstrated that the clogging near injection points can be controlled by keeping the influent concentration of toluene below the threshold. |
