Layered structure of UASB granules gives microbial populations resistance to toxic chemicals

To investigate the effect of granular structure on resistance to toxic chemicals in UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) reactors, normal and broken granules were examined for their ability to degrade acetate with and without the addition of toluene or trichloroethylene as a toxic chemical. Without a toxic chemical, both normal and broken granules degraded the acetate at the same volumetric degradation rate (3.21 mM h–1). However, when 500 l l–1 of toluene or trichloroethylene was added, the acetate-degradation rate of the broken granules was about a third of the rate with normal granules. Therefore, the layered structure of the UASB granules seems to give microbial populations the ability to resist toxic chemicals.