• KSBB Journal
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.444-451
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• 2000

Nonliving methanotrophic biomass was used as biosorbent to remove lead which is one of representative pollutants in metal-bearing wastewater. Solution pH, maximum uptake, biosorbent dose and ionic strength were considered as major factors for adsorption experiments. The optimum pH range for lead removal was increased 3.8∼11.0 for methanotrophic biomass compared to biosorbent-free control, pH of 8.4∼11.2. Removal efficiency of lead by methanotrophic biomass was pH dependent, but less sensitive than that of control. In isotherm experiments with 0.2g biosorbent/L at initial solution pH 5.0, methanotrophic biomass took up lead from aqueous solutions to the extent of 1085 mg/g biomass. Removal amount of lead increased with an increase of biomass dose. According to biomass dose for initial 1000 mg Pb/L at initial pH 5.0, the optimum amount of biomass for maximum lead removal per unit methanotrophic biomass was 0.2 g biomass/L. As a result of scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), lead removal by methanotrophic biomass seemed to be through adsorptions on the surface of methanotrophic biomass and exopolymers around the biomass. EDS spectra confirmed that lead adsorption appeared on the biomass and exopolymers that may be effective to lead removal comparing before and after contact with lead. Removal efficiency of lead was slightly affected by ionic strength up to 2.0 M of NaCl and NaNO$_3$respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.2163-2173
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• 2000

The optimum pH range for biosorption of cobalt by methanotrophic bacteria was broadened to 6.0~12.0 which was compared to pH 10.5~11.5 of bios or bent-free control case. Removal efficiency of cobalt by methanotrophic biomass was pH dependent, but less sensitive than that of control. With 1.0 g biosorbent/L at initial solution pH 6.0. methanotrophic biomass took up cobalt from aqueous solutions to the extent of 170 mg/g biomass. As a result of scanning electron microscope(SEM) micrographs, cobalt removal by methanotrophic biomass seemed to be through adsorption on the surface of methanotrophic biomass and by exopolymer around the biomass. Optimum amount of methanotrophic biomass for maximum cobalt uptake was 1.0 g/L for initial 400 mg Co/L at initial pH 6.0. Removal efficiency of cobalt was slightly affected by ionic strength up to 2.0 M of NaCl and $NaNO_3$, respectively.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.215-220
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• 2013

Biofilters for the removal of methane using tobermolite, perlite and polyurethane as packing materials have been undergoing recent development. The effects of these packing materials on methane oxidation activity were evaluated in this study. Mixed methanotrophs (consortia A, B, C and D) from wetland and landfill soils were used as the inoculum sources. The influences of packing materials, consisting of tobermolite, perlite, and polyurethane, on the methane oxidation rate and methanotrophic bio-mass, were estimated. When perlite was added into the methanotrophic cultures, the methane oxidation rate was more than twice that of the control (without packing materials), and the methanotrophic biomass increased more than 10 fold. The ratio of methanotrophic bacteria to total bacteria under with tobermolite packing material was higher than the control and the other packing materials, indicating that tobermolite can serve as a specific packing material where dominance of methanotrophs is desired. Therefore, perlite and tobermolite provide habitats which increase the activity of methanotrophic bacteria, and these packing materials are promising for use in methane oxidation processes.

• 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.