Abstract
The distribution and fate of pollutants in biological wastewater treatment is highly influenced by sorption processes. Biofilms can provide a sink for dissolved matter with extracelluar polymeric substances (EPS), cell walls, cell membranes, and cytoplasm serving as sorption sites. These sites display different sorption properties, preferences, and capacities. The distribution of organic pollutants such as BTX or heavy metals such as cadmium and zinc in biofilms could be investigated by fractionating the biomass. Therefore, an EPS extraction method with a crown ether was used which allowed the detection of organic and inorganic substances in the different fractions. After extraction, more than 60% of BTX could be localized in the EPS In contrast to organic substances, more than 80% of the total content of cadmium and zinc was found in the cellular fraction.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 207-210 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Water Science and Technology |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 4-5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Proceedings of the 1997 2nd International Conference on Microorganisms in Activated Sludge and Biofilm Processes - Berkeley, CA, USA Duration: Jul 21 1997 → Jul 23 1997 |
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Science and Technology
Keywords
- Biofilms
- BTX
- Crown ether
- Extracelluar polymeric substances (EPS)
- Heavy metals