Physiologie des Phenolabbaus bei Rhodococcus spec. P1 Teil 1: Beziehungen zwischen Wachstum und Phenolabbau

The Actinomycetes strain of the genus Rhodococcus having been isolated from the river Saale is able to use phenol as the sole carbon source up to concentrations of 2 g/l and metabolizes phenol via the β-ketoadipic acid path (ortho-cleavage). The synthesis of the inducable enzyme system can be inhibited by chloramphenicol. In detailed experiments in discontinuous and continuous cultures the growth rate and the yield coefficient attain their maxima of 0.256 h^?1 and 0.62, resp., at phenol concentrations of 0.5 … 0.8 g/l. At higher substrate concentrations there occurs a substrate inhibition. In the range between 20 and 40°C growth and phenol utilization are highly dependent on temperature.     

Influence of Temperature on the Toxicity of Phenol and its Chloro- and Nitro-derivatives to the Fish Notopterus notopterus (PALLAS)

There is determined the LC₅₀ for 24 … 96 h of phenol, 2,4-dinitrophenol and pentachlorophenol as sodium salt by static assay at water temperatures of 16, 23 and 36°C. In addition, the combinations of the three substances were tested in the same way. With decreasing temperature, the toxicity of the individual substances decreased by 6.5 … 22%, that of the mixtures by 10 … 87%; with rising temperature, the toxicity increased by 38 … 747% and 75 … 744%, respectively. The safety limits at 23°C lie between 0.3 μg/l for a synergistically acting mixture and 0.9 mg/l for an antagonistically acting one; for the individual substances this range is 3.5 μg/l to 0.5 mg/l.     

Zum Leistungsvermögen makroporöser Adsorberpolymere bei der Elimination organischer Mikroverunreinigungen

In laboratory experiments the adsorption of eleven different organic substances in water is individually tested in the range of concentration of 0.2… 5.0 mg/l on EP 60 and EP 61 (styrene-divinylbenzene, non-polar) and EP 62 and Y 59 (acrylic-acid-ester-divinylbenzene, polar). In batch experiments the elimination at 1… 2 g/l adsorber quantity was 35… 80%, strongly dissociated anionic substances as benzoic acid being adsorbed only to a low degree and weakly cationic and undissociated substances being adsorbed well. Within a homologous series adsorption increases with the molar mass until the pore diameter will become too small for the taking up of substances. Under dynamic conditions (filtration technology) an elimination of 90… 100% can be expected. As a whole, the adsorption on activated carbon was better in all cases than the adsorption on the polymers. The desorption for the regeneration of the polymers is the more difficult the better the substance contained is adsorbed. By repeated loading and regeneration only a slight influence on the adsorption and desorption of a substance was found.     

A Contribution to the Mechanism of Elimination of Dimethylformamide and Dimethylamine by a Heterogenous Culture of Microorganisms

In a batch experiment with activated sludge from a large-scale plant the hydrolytical and biochemical degradation of dimethylformamide (DMF) and its reaction product dimethylamine (DMA) and the conversion connected with this under aerobic and anaerobic conditions is investigated. Parallel to the hydrolysis of DMF the biochemical degradation of DMA occurs. The extensive conversion of these substrates is followed by the nitrification of the ammoniumions formed, and under subsequent anaerobic conditions with methanol as the carbon source also denitrification can be achieved. If the oxygen supply of the activated sludge is insufficient, however, also DMA can be used as a carbon source for denitrification, ammonium-ions being released from DMA in addition. In the batch experiment the elimination rates referred to nitrogen were 7 … 14 mg/g · h for DMF, 0.8 … 1.7 mg/g · h for DMA, 0.3 … 0.6 mg/g · h for NH and 0.4 to 1.3 mg/g · h for nitrate in the presence of methanol. DMF and DMA are obviously not suitable as the only carbon source for denitrification.     

Toxicity of Phenol,Pentachlorophenol and Sodium Pentachlorophenolate to a Freshwater Teleost Lebistes reticulatus (Peters)

Lebistes reticulatus (Peters) was exposed to various concentrations of phenol, pentachlorophenol and sodium pentachlorophenolate to determine their toxicity, lethal concentrations and slope functions by a static bioassay procedure. Simultaneous controls were also run. The 94h LC₅₀ values were 47.5mg/l (42.04 … 53.68) for phenol, 0.77 mg/l (0.616 … 0.963) for sodium pentachlorophenate and 0.97 mg/l (0.866 … 1.086) for pentachlorophenol. On this basis, the rank order is sodium pentachlorophenolate-pentachlorophenol-phenol. During the treatment, fish showed an abnormal swimming reflex, excessive mucus secretion, haemorrhage near lips, abdomen and basis of fins and loss of equilibrium followed by death.     

Biologisch-chemisches Verfahren zur Prüfung des Abbau- und Eliminierungsverhaltens organischer Abwasserinhaltsstoffe

After the checking for the toxic inhibition of degradation, the testing of the degradation behaviour at concentrations below the toxicological threshold value should be performed. For this, activated sludge with 1.5 … 2 g/l organic dry weight in special reaction vessels with a stirring and aeration equipment as well as electrochemical oxygen measurement is used. The possibly necessary adaptation is effected by a repeated change of the aqueous phase with the test substance as the single carbon source. Measurements are carried out in three vessels: control, experimental vessel and another experimental vessel for the makeup of volume at sampling. The increase of biomass and the consumption of substrate are determined from samples. Determinations of totals as COD and/or C_organic are recommended, since the determination of the pure substrate allows only statements on the persistence, but not on the full degradation. The technique, represented with the schematic diagram and examples of application, can be automated easily.     

The Concentrations of Cadmium,Lead and Copper in Filtrated Baltic Sea Water Samples Collected at Two Seasons in 1969

Two research cruises on the Baltic Sea, in July and November of 1979, were made for investigating the Baltic Sea water for its contents of dissolved cadmium, lead and copper. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry and voltammetry were used as methods of investigation, the latter method having supplied slightly lower results. In the water layer of 0 … 50 m the cadmium concentrations were 0.03 … 0.05 μg/l and the lead concentrations were 0.1 … 0.2 μg/l, seasonal changes did not have any effect on them. The copper concentrations, on the other hand, were 0.4 … 1.2 μg/l in summer and 0.1 … 0.7 μg/l in autumn. Compared with ocean waters, the lead content is remarkably high. In anoxic deep waters of the Baltic Sea the concentrations of the three metals, especially that of cadmium, are very low (< 0.01 μg/l).     

Verfahren zur katalytisch-oxydativen Entsulfidierung von Abwässern

The oxidative conversion of strongly alkaline sulphide concentrations in wastewaters from the wet molybdenite enrichment is successfully performed within a relatively short time by the application of atmospheric oxygen, “Winkler adsorbent” (activated form of ash from Winkler generators) or “Winkler generator ash” and chlorinated lime at the same time. The reaction times were 60… 90 min at residual sulphide concentrations of 1… 10 mg/l. The initial concentrations of sulphide were between 400 and 1,200 mg/l. It was proved by comparative investigations that the “Winkler absorbent” or the “Winkler generator ash” have a catalytical effect during the oxidation by air. Therefore, also, e.g., at an initial concentration of sulphide of 600 mg/l only 4 g/l chlorinated lime were required, which corresponded to only about 0.13 times the stoichiometrically calculated quantity with the available chlorine content being taken into account. Flotation cells are suitable as reactors.     

Methods of Analyzing Quinones in Water and Their Application in Studying the Effects of Hydrophytes on Phenols. Part 3: Phenol Elimination under the Action of Aquatic Plants

In two test series, for which 10 and 2 … 4 g/1 wet matter of higher and lower aquatic plants from the lake Baikal and from the waters in the surroundings of Irkutsk were used, phenol solutions having concentrations of 10^?3 … 10^?5 M (1 … 5 mg/1) were applied. During the investigations the possible error clue to the presence of microorganisms was eliminated. The phenol decomposition by aquatic plants proceeds as a first-order reaction. The results of analyses are summarized in several tables and graphical representations.     

Chlorination of Humic Acids and Chloroform Production

By diluting a boggy water there is produced water with a COD-Mn of 3.4 … 10.6 mg/l O₂ which is due only to humic substances. The water is mixed with 2.5 … 12.9 mg/l Cl₂ at pH-values of 5.2 … 8.5 and incubated for 24 h at 20°C. CHCl₃ concentrations of 38 … 480 μg/l were found by the subsequent gas-chromatographic determination. The production of chloroform can be calculated by means of a quadratic polynomial in dependence on COD-Mn, chlorine concentration and pH-value.     

Veränderungen der Diatomeenflora der Werra unter dem Einfluß des Salzgehaltes

Under the influence of the wastewaters of the potash industry the Werra river shows considerably varying salt contents (0.47 … 28.2 g/l Cl^?, annual means 4.4 … 11.4 g/l Cl^?) in dependence on the hydrological situation. Between 1982 and 1988 a total of 112 taxa of diatoms were observed. Of special interest is the occurrence of Stauroneis constricta (EHRENBERG) CLEVE, which is new for the river Werra. Its spreading upstream was observed. Compared with earlier findings as well as within each annual cycle there are observed clear changes in the species present and in the colonization structures in dependence on the salt content. The close relations between the salt content and the diatom communities are truly expressed by the index of halobic organisms. Diversity indices of 1.048 … 3.259 as well as values of 0.074 … 0.817 for evenness verify the imbalance of the colonization, without, however, revealing a relation to the salt content, except for variations of concentration which may be too sudden.     

Zytotoxikologische Untersuchung von Schadstoffen und Wasserblüten mit gefrierkonserviertem Bullensperma (Spermatest)

The method is based on the determination of the number of the nonmotile sperms and/or the lethally damaged sperms with the aid of the fluorescent dye primuline. Incubation takes place at a suspension density of 10.000/mm³… 38.000/mm³, at 40°C or 46 °C for 15… 60 min. During the test with sublimate the loss of motility amounts to 55% at 4 mg/l Hg²⁺, the LC₅₀ is 7.3 mg/l Hg²⁺. Phenyl-mercuric acetate causes the total loss of motility with 20 mg/l, the LC₅₀ is above 168 mg/l (equivalent to 100 mg/l Hg²⁺). The LC₅₀ of sodiumpentadecylmonosulphonate and dodecylpyridinchloride are 11.6 and 15.8 mg/l, resp. Filtrates of blooming of cyanophyceae on Baltic, having been digested by repeated freezing and thawing, with 1.5… 6.4 g/l dry matter showed motility losses of 30… 100 % for Nodularia spumigena, whereas no significant effect was produced by a filtrate of Microcystis aeruginosa with 28.2 g/l dry matter as well as water-blooming of Nodularia spumigena from the Small Jasmund Bodden.     

Polarographische Bestimmung von Schwermetallen im Klärschlamm

The differential-pulse polarography (DPP) and the stripping voltametry (SV) are investigated in detail with respect to their suitability for the quantitative detection of individual traces of heavy metals in sewage sludge. The results are checked on the basis of AAS analyses and by the standard-addition method. From the hydrochloric-acid extracts of fused sludge samples down to 1 μg/l can be detected by the SV, whereas the DPP reaches a sensitivity of 100 μg/l. The following basic electrolytes are used: Zn: 2 … 3 mol/l H₃PO₄; Cu: 0.4 mol/l K₂CO₃, 0.2 mol/l Na-K-tartrate, 0.1 mol/l HCl; Ni: 1 mol/l NH₄OH, 1 mol/l NH₄Cl, 25 ml/l triethylamine; Pb and Cd: 0.1 … 0.2 mol/l HCl.     

Grundwasserchemismus im Bezirk Neubrandenburg. Teil 3. Jodid im Grundwasser

The iodide contents in 389 ground-water-tapping plants of the county are compared with the geological character of the aquifer, the carbonate and non-carbonate hardness and the nitrate and chloride contents of the waters. 54% of the plants have I-concentrations of 3 … 7 μg/l. In the air-covered ground-water (hardness quotient<2.8) 2 … 50 μg/l I are found, whereas in the confined ground-water (hardness quotient >2.8) 2 … 50 μg/l I are contained. In general, the I-content increases with the carbonate hardness, a connection with till existing. Therefore, ground-waters of the Miocene have relatively low salt- and I-contents. Geogenic salt influences in the form of NaCl increase the I-contents to 50 … 100 μg/l. Anthropogenic influences in the residential area and due to waste increase the Cl^?- and I^?-concentrations. There were not detected any dependences between the I- and NO₃-contents.     

Sequencing Batch Experiments with activated Sludge Consuming Glucose and Phenol

During the rather short solids retention time θ = 1.25 d phenol is not utilized by activated sludge and only glucose is consumed during the sequencing batch experiments. After glucose consumption the residual COD concentration (COD = 820 mg/l) is represented mainly by the phenol concentration. During the rather long solids retention time θ = 8 d phenol is consumed by activated sludge as well as glucose. In this case the residual COD concentration is much smaller (COD = 46 mg/l) and the ratio BOD₅/COD = 0.1 is small, too. The general model of biological treatment suggested by one the authors earlier can describe the sequencing batch experimental data rather well.     

Phenol Accumulation in the Larvae of the Species Agrion puella L.(Insecta,Odonata) under Laboratory Conditions

In an aerated batch experiment for one to six days the phenol accumulation is investigated in the surviving and killed larvae of Agrion puella at phenol concentrations of 50 to 200 mg/l in the medium. The rate of mortality increases with the initial concentration of phenol, although about 40% phenol is microbially digested during the test. The phenol accumulation in μg/g wet substance is always higher in the surviving individuals than in the killed ones, but it shows an identical time trend for both. On the first day, accumulation is high, and till the third day it decreases. On the fourth day, it reaches a maximum, and then it drops sharply to its minimum on the sixth day. The measured actual accumulation is the result of changing intake and elimination rates, especially the elimination rates decreasing with increasing duration of tests and test concentration due to metabolic disturbances. The absolute minimum on the sixth day is determined also by the reduced phenol concentration. The limit of accumulation for a chronic poisoning can be estimated at 70 μg/g phenol.     

Formaldehyde in the Elbe Estuary: Distribution and Processes

From 1989 to 1992, the concentration of formaldehyde was measured along the Elbe estuary as well as at anchor stations. In mesocosm experiments, the turnover of formaldehyde could be investigated avoiding the variability caused by tidal advection of different water bodies. Formaldehyde concentrations in the Elbe estuary ranged from 0.5… 180 μg/L. As sources, a release by algae and microbial processes were identified. Three areas with different dominance of formaldehyde turnover processes were found in the estuary. In the limnic part of the estuary, a release of formaldehyde by algae was dominant. In the mixohaline zone and the turbidity maximum, bacterial degradation of organic matter increased the formaldehyde concentration. In the mouth of the estuary, the adjacent Wadden sea areas influenced the concentration due to formaldehyde-rich runoff from the tidal mud flats. In the other parts of the estuary, a fast degradation of formaldehyde kept the formaldehyde concentration at a low level. In sediment cores from the Elbe and a mesocosm, the formaldehyde concentrations were in the same range as in the water column. Mesocosms with and without sediment showed no significant differences in concentration levels which were similar to those measured in the Elbe at the same time. During the investigated period, no anthropogenic impacts of formaldehyde into the Elbe estuary could be detected.     

Zum Abbau von Formaldehyd durch adaptierte Bakterien

Municipal activated sludge was cultivated in a medium composed of formaldehyde, glucose and mineral salt. By passages with increasing formaldehyde content a bacterial culture was selected which remained active also at initial concentrations of 1 g/1 formaldehyde. With this culture, formaldehyde and glucose were oxidized simultaneously to formate and gluconate, which subsequently served simultaneously as substrate for the growth of bacteria. Glucose alone was also oxidized to gluconate, which then was used as substrate for growth. Formaldehyde alone was only oxidized. If the actual formaldehyde concentration was kept low, however, by fed-batch cultivation, it was assimilated also through formate formation. The biochemical background and the importance of the findings for the purification of formaldehyde-containing wastewaters are discussed.     

Untersuchungen zur Bestimmung und zum Vorkommen des Thiocyanats im Wasserkörper der westlichen Ostsee

For the gas-chromatographic determination of thiocyanate in waters two enrichment processes were used: 1) the evaporation of the water sample on the water bath and 2) the adsorptive enrichment on Wofatit EA 60. As the example of the investigation of water samples from the Baltic Sea has shown, the less selective process 1 gave higher results of measurements than the adsorptive method 2. As compared with the GDR's coastal region of the Baltic (0.4 … 5.2 μg/l), the SCN^? concentrations (1986) in the western offshore region (0.1 … 2.1 μg/l) are considerably lower. With increasing depth and growing salt content the SCN^? concentration in the Baltic decreases. Anthropogenic influences, such as the input of residual products of sewage works effluents, can be inferred from the relatively increased SCN^? concentrations in the coastal region.     

Einsatz einer konstruierten Mischkultur zur Verwertung von Mischsubstraten mit inhibierend wirkenden Substanzen

By way of introduction the general fundamentals and kinetic setups of the competitive and non-competitive as well as substrate inhibition of cultures of microorganisms are stated. Investigated on a laboratory scale is the degradation of liquid pig slurry in a 600-1 stirring fermenter with discontinuous addition (pO₂≧=30 = saturation) of methanol as external substrate by a yeast mixed culture of Metschnikowia and Pichia membranifaceans to utilize the steam-volatile fatty acids (12 g/l) and of Acetobacter methanolicus to utilize methanol. A stable fermentation with stable residual concentrations of 235 mg/l fatty acids, 142 mg/l mH₄-N an 100 … 300 mg/l methanol for aperiod of 2400 h can be achieved.