Biodegradation of Phenol

Biodegrading higher concentrations of phenol, so as to withstand shock loadings, at a reasonable rate and in a reasonable time is considered a challenge. This chapter discusses a method to substantially improve the biodegradation of higher concentrations of phenol using activated sludge by an acclimation process. The importance of kinetic models was highlighted by C. P. L. Grady in a discussion on the status of using biodegradation as a technique for treating toxic organics. In the microbial degradation of phenol, considerable work has been undertaken to delineate kinetic models depicting the course of microorganism growth. The kinetics of biodegrading phenol by the acclimated sludge was very much dependent on the initial phenol concentration. The activated sludge and acclimated sludge were used to degrade phenol without any cometabolite. By comparing the performance of the two sludges, the advantages and disadvantages of acclimation can be better understood.