Batch reactors are being used in an experiment to determine the impacts of various terminal electron accepting processes (TEAPs) on PCE degradation in a mixed anaerobic culture.
Bacterial cultures used for this experiment were started from Cape Canaveral soil. An established dehalorespirer culture had been started in the spring of 1999. This culture has been maintained in methanogenic conditions, and it was thought that nitrate and sulfate reducers had been cultured out. For this reason, an additional culture was started in the spring of 2000 using media containing various terminal electron acceptors. This culture contains nitrate and sulfate reducers, and was used along with the established dehalorespirer culture for the experiment.
This experiment includes a hydrogen sensor for determination of the amount of H2 utilized with the different terminal electron acceptors, and an ORP probe to determine redox potential and correlate it to H2 consumption.
The batch reactors are fitted with a membrane for the transfer of H2 within the reactor. This experiment is running with three H2 concentrations (1, 50 and 100%) along with a control using N2. The impacts of the various electron acceptors along with the native mixed anaerobic cultures on PCE degradation is being evaluated. Hydrogen concentrations flowing out of the reactor are measured with a Q-bit detector and logged into spreadsheets via analog output. Hydrogen usage is being evaluated over extended periods of time.
Using Ion Chromatography, anions present in the media can be detected. Nitrate, nitrite, sulfate and chloride are being measured to track the reductive processes. Hydrogen consumption can be attributed to these processes by relating the time periods. Gas Chromatography is used to detect other necessary compounds. Using a PID column, PCE, TCE, and DCE concentrations can be obtained. Using a HID column, it is possible to measure METH, VC, ETH and CO2.
Environmental Engineering and Related Coursework:
Limnology
Hydric Soils
Reclamation and Restoration Ecology
Groundwater Microbiology
Environmental Processing of Organic Chemicals
Theory of Unit Operations
Wastewater Microbiology
Design of Wastewater Systems
Biological Processes in Wastewater
Water Chemistry
Remediation Technologies
Modeling of Aquatic Systems 1&2
Environmental Law for Engineers
Ecological Biochemistry
Groundwater Mechanics
Hydrology
Water Resources
Fluid Mechanics
Organic Chemistry