Removal of bisphenol A (BPA) in a nitrifying system with immobilized biomass

Bioresour Technol. 2014 Nov:171:305-13. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.08.087. Epub 2014 Aug 28.

Abstract

The potential for bisphenol A (BPA) removal by mixed consortia of immobilized microorganisms with high nitrification activity was investigated with BPA concentrations in the influent from 2.5 to 10.0 mg/L. The presence of BPA limited ammonium oxidation; nitrification efficiency decreased from 91.2±1.3% in the control series to 47.4±9.4% when BPA concentration in wastewater was the highest. The efficiency of BPA removal rose from 87.1±5.5% to 92.9±2.9% with increased BPA concentration in the influent. Measurement of oxygen uptake rates by biomass exposed to BPA showed that BPA was mainly removed by heterotrophic bacteria. A strong negative correlation between the BPA removal efficiency and nitrification efficiency indicated the limited contribution of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) to BPA biodegradation. Exposure of biomass to BPA changed the quantity and diversity of AOB in the biomass as shown by real-time PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.

Keywords: Bisphenol A (BPA); Immobilized biomass; PCR–DGGE; Real-time PCR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzhydryl Compounds / isolation & purification*
  • Bioreactors*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis
  • Heterotrophic Processes / physiology*
  • Nitrification / physiology*
  • Nitrosomonadaceae / metabolism*
  • Phenols / isolation & purification*
  • Phylogeny
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Regression Analysis

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • DNA Primers
  • Phenols
  • bisphenol A