Toxic effects of selected industrial solvents in batch and continuous anaerobic reactors

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 1991 Spring:28-29:297-305. doi: 10.1007/BF02922609.

Abstract

Acetone and ethyl acetate were readily degraded in batch reactors containing anaerobic solids from an industrial reactor at concentrations to 1000 mg/L; isoamyl acetate was degraded at concentrations below 200 mg/L. Xylene was noninhibitory in batch cultures at concentrations of 50 mg/L or less. Batch reactors receiving 45 mg/L methylene chloride (MC) experienced a 60% reduction in gas production, and an increase in volatile fatty acids. Semicontinuously-fed reactors dosed with 20 mg/L MC at the start suffered some loss of anaerobic efficiency, but acclimated well with increased gas production after 20 d. A continuously fed sludge blanket reactor with no previous exposure to MC has acclimated to 20 mg/L MC after initial inhibition at 10 mg/L.

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / metabolism
  • Acetates / pharmacology
  • Acetone / metabolism
  • Acetone / pharmacology
  • Anaerobiosis
  • Biodegradation, Environmental*
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Gases / analysis
  • Methylene Chloride / pharmacology
  • Pentanols / pharmacology
  • Solvents / pharmacology*
  • Xylenes / metabolism
  • Xylenes / pharmacology

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Fatty Acids
  • Gases
  • Pentanols
  • Solvents
  • Xylenes
  • Acetone
  • Methylene Chloride
  • ethyl acetate
  • isoamyl acetate