Biodegradation of polyalcohol ethoxylate by a wastewater microbial consortium |
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Authors: | Sybil E Sharvelle Jay Garland M K Banks |
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Institution: | (1) School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA;(2) Dynamac Corporation, Orlando, FL, USA |
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Abstract: | Polyalcohol ethoxylate (PAE), an anionic surfactant, is the primary component in most laundry and dish wash detergents and
is therefore highly loaded in domestic wastewater. Its biodegradation results in the formation of several metabolites and
the fate of these metabolites through wastewater treatment plants, graywater recycling processes, and in the environment must
be clearly understood. Biodegradation pathways for PAE were investigated in this project with a municipal wastewater microbial
consortium. A microtiter-based oxygen sensor system was utilized to determine the preferential use of potential biodegradation
products. Results show that while polyethylene glycols (PEGs) were readily degraded by PAE acclimated microorganisms, most
of the carboxylic acids tested were not degraded. Biodegradation of PEGs suggests that hydrophobe–hydrophile scission was
the dominant pathway for PAE biodegradation in this wastewater community. Ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG)
were not utilized by microbial populations capable of degrading higher molecular weight EGs. It is possible that EG and DEG
may accumulate. The microtiter-based oxygen sensor system was successfully utilized to elucidate information on PAE biodegradation
pathways and could be applied to study biodegradation pathways for other important contaminants. |
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Keywords: | Biodegradation Nonionic surfactant Microorganisms Wastewater Metabolism Pathway Pollution Trace contaminants Water |
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