• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.715-718
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• 2013

Density of catalytic organisms can determine the biodegradation capacity and specific biodegradation rate (SBR). A new index, biodegradation capacity utilization (BCU, %), was developed for estimating the extent of actual biodegradation of a gas compound over the full capacity. Three methanotrophic cultures were serially diluted (1-1/25), and methane SBR and BCU were measured. Consistently, biomass reduction increased the SBR and decreased the BCU. Linearity (p < 0.05, r > 0.97) between the BCU and cell density indicated the reflection of biodegradation capacity by BCU. Therefore, BCU is indicative of whether the density of catalytic organisms is pertinent for SBR evaluation of low-soluble gaseous compounds.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.784-788
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• 1999

The effects of pH, moisture content, and the relative amount of a polymer sample on the biodegradation of degradable polymers in soil were studied using various polymer materials such as cellulose, poly-(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (SG) polycaprolactone (PCL), a blend of PCL and starch (PCL-starch), and a poly-lactic acid (PLA). As with other materials, the polymers degraded faster at a neutral pH than at either acidic or basic conditions. Moisture contents of 60 and 100% water holding capacity exhibited a similar biodegradability for various polymers, although the effects differed depending on the polymer. For synthetic polymers, biodegradation was faster at 60%, while the natural polymer (cellulose) degraded faster at 100%. Fungal hypae was observed at a 60% water holding capacity which may have affected the biodegradation of the polymers. A polymer amount of 0.25% to soil revealed the highest biodegradability among the ratios of 0.25, 0.5, and 1%. With a higher sample amount, the residual polymer could be recovered after the biodegradation test. It was confirmed that a test for general biodegradation condition can be applied to plastic biodegradation in soil.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 1998

This study was performed to select media for the development of biological activated carbon process. Using activated carbon made by Norit, Calgon, Samchully Co., removal efficiency of humic acid by the isothermal adsorption test and biodegradation of organic matters by microbes attached to BAC and observation and counting of microbes attached to BAC were examined. The removal efficiency of humic acid with dose of activated carbon was influenced by initial concentration. Compared with other activated carbon, Norit was found to be most effective in view of adsorption capacity, biodegradation of organic matter, and attachment characteristics of microorganism. In conclusion, Norit which has high adsorption capacity and good biodegradation of organic matter was recommended for selecting media in BAC process.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.354-359
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• 2006

This study examined the capacity of immobilized bacteria to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons. A mixture of hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial strains was immobilized in alginate and incubated in crude oil-contaminated artificial seawater (ASW). Analysis of hydrocarbon residues following a 30-day incubation period demonstrated that the biodegradation capacity of the microorganisms was not compromised by the immobilization. Removal of n-alkanes was similar in immobilized cells and control cells. To test reusability, the immobilized bacteria were incubated for sequential increments of 30 days. No decline in biodegradation capacity of the immobilized consortium of bacterial cells was noted over its repeated use. We conclude that immobilized hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria represent a promising application in the bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated areas.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.92-95
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• 2002

Bioavailability study was conducted to elucidate the relationship between sorption/desorption and biodegradation of sorbed phenanthrene in seven different soils. Mineralization kinetics was determined for phenanthrene-sorbed soil slurries inoculated with Pseudomonas putida (ATCC strain 17484). Two biodegradation models were used to fit mineralization kinetics; (i) a first-order degradation model and (ii) a coupled degradation-desorption model. The biodegradation rates were in order of vermicompost >Bion peat > 50% organoclay > Pahokee > blank (no soil, medium only) > montmorillonite > Ohio shale. The mineralization rate constants increased as desorption-resistance of phenanthrene increased. Among the tested sorbents, active biodegradation of phenanthrene was observed in vermicompost and Bion peat. Biodegradation in these two sorbents exhibited little lag time and a high maximum mineralized capacity. The role of sorption/desorption in bioavailability of phenanthrene sorbed in soils was discussed.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.333-344
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• 2016

In this study, the efficiency of natural attenuation was evaluated through the hydrogeological characteristics such as monitoring and analyses, tracer tests, chemical composition analysis of the groundwater at a military site contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbon in korea. Also, based on the results, the natural attenuation rate by distance and the expressed biodegradation capacity(EBC) was evaluated. The regression slope of -0.0248($K/V_x$) and bulk attenuation rate of $1.7{\times}10^{-3}/day$ were calculated respectively. The range of total expressed biodegradation capacity(EBC) of BTEX was shown from 9.1 mg/L to 10.0 mg/L(average 9.7 mg/L). It was confirmed that the denitrification which was expressed about 63.6% in the total EBC is the largest influence redox process. Consequently, the biodegradation capacity is considered to be sufficient for remediation in the BTEX average concentration of 1.326 mg/L.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2000.05a
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• pp.11-14
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• 2000

Wastewater sludge and composted food wastes were examined as the alternatives of a landfill cover for soils to eliminate the emission of VOCs. The benefit of these alternatives is in their high sorption capacity, which is 5 to 50 times higher than natural soils. After sorption is finished, biodegradation is an important mechanism in decrease of VOCs concentration. In order to investigate appropriate VOCs degradation condition, biodegradation batch experiment is being conducted with isolated strain X9-c. Both benzene and TCE were degraded only in soil with 12%(water volume/sorbent volumn) water condition. When the water condition varied from 12 to 48% in compost, optimum water conditions of composted food waste was 36%.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.297-300
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• 2004

The various microbial tests were performed to determine bioremediation agent capacity for eight strains isolated from the oil contaminated regions. Two tests for isolated strains were conducted such as cell hydrophobicity and emulsifying activity. The biodegradation of SHM (saturated hydrocarbon mixture) and AHM (aromatic hydrocarbon mixture) with the strains also was carried out. The strains having higher cell hydrophobicity and emulsifying activity degraded petroleum oil effectively. The degradation capacity for SHM was represented more than 90% in YS-7 and WLH-1 of isolated strains, and KH3-2 were capable of degrading AHM. Especially, WLH-1 as yeast was shown more than two or three times in the degradation capacity of automobile engine lubricants and the biomonitoring results of contaminated soil for residual oil degrading test showed that the hydrocarbon biodegradation was increased in the second treatment by this strain.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.256-264
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• 2004

Adsorption characteristics of three endocrine disruptors, amitrol, nonylphenol, and bisphenol-A, were evaluated depending on the type and service duration of activated carbon (AC). Bituminous coal-, wood-, and coconut-based coals were tested. Bituminous coal-based AC (BCAC) had the greatest sorption capacity for the three chemicals tested, followed by wood-based AC (WAC) for nonylphenol and coconut palm-based AC (CAC) for bisphenol-A. During the column test, amitrol removal efficiency increased over time, indicating that hydrophilic endocrine disruptors are biodegraded in the AC column. Removal efficiencies of hydrophobic compounds such as nonylphenol and bisphenol-A decreased over time since the main removal mechanism was adsorption. The order of the amitrol removal was: BCAC-5.9 yr, CAC-3.l yr > BCAC-2.2 yr > BCAC-virgin > CAC-virgin > WAC-virgin > WAC-3.l yr. In general, used AC had greater removals than virgin AC. The order of the bisphenol-A removal was: CAC-virgin > BCAC-2.2 yr > CAC-3.l yr > WAC-virgin > BCAC-5.9 yr > WAC-3.l yr. The order of the nonylphenol removal was: BCAC-virgin > WAC-virgin > CAC-3.1 yr, WAC-3.1yr> BCAC-2.2 yr > BCAC-5.9 yr > CAC-3.1 yr. Bituminous coal AC performed the best over time. Endocrine disruptors such as these three compounds appear to be removed effectively by activated carbon through biodegradation and adsorption. Wood and coal based among the virgin ACs and 3.1 years used wood base among the used ACs appeared the lowest carbon usage rate(CUR) for nonylphenol removal by prediction model. Virgin and used coconut base ACs except BCAC had the lowest CUR for removal Bisphenol-A. Biodegradation of nonylphenol and Bisphenol-A did not occurred during the 9,800 bed volume experiment period. BCAC had the highest biodegradation capacity of 46% for amitrol among virgin ACs and the used coal based ACs had 33-44% higher biodegradation capacity than virgin's for amitrol so biodegradation is the effective removal technology for hydrophilic material such as amitrol.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.46-51
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• 2005

This study was to evaluate sorption and biodegradation rate affecting the natural dissipation of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) in surface soil. To show the effect of sorption and biodegradation on the natural dissipation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE), three types of vial experiments were employed; (1) sterilized, (2) non-sterilized, (3) non-sterilized/substrate enriched. Also three moisture contents was applied to find the moisture effect in each vial; (1) wilting point (12%, w/w), (2) field capacity (29%, w/w), (3) saturation (48%, w/w). The results suggested that keeping the soil moisture content at field capacity was desirable for TCA and TCE natural dissipation in the vial study.