Inhibition on acidogenesis of dairy wastewater by zinc and copper

Environ Technol. 2001 Dec;22(12):1459-65. doi: 10.1080/09593332208618183.

Abstract

Acidogenesis of dairy wastewater produced volatile fatty acids, mainly acetate and propionate, plus hydrogen as by-product. Zinc (Zn) inhibited acidogenesis at concentrations over 10 mg l(-1); but at 10 mg l(-1), or less, it enhanced acidogenesis slightly. On the other hand, copper (Cu) inhibited acidogenesis at all tested concentrations ranging 5-400 mg l(-1). Production of acetate was inhibited by both metals at all concentrations; but production of propionate and hydrogen was favored at low concentrations of Zn (up to 80 mg l(-1)) and Cu (up to 40 mg l(-1)). Production of hydrogen corresponded with the degradation of carbohydrate and the production of propionate. Overall, Cu was 1.4-4.3 folds more toxic than Zn, according to the overall production patterns of fatty acids and hydrogen as well as degradation patterns of carbohydrate and protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbohydrates / analysis
  • Carbon Dioxide / analysis
  • Copper / adverse effects
  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Dairying*
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile / analysis
  • Hydrogen / analysis
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Methane / analysis
  • Nitrogen / analysis
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Waste Disposal, Fluid / methods*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Water Purification / methods*
  • Zinc / adverse effects
  • Zinc / chemistry*

Substances

  • Carbohydrates
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile
  • Proteins
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Copper
  • Hydrogen
  • Zinc
  • Nitrogen
  • Methane