Monitoring the influence of toxic compounds on microbial denitrifying biofilm processes

Microelectrode measurements were conducted to obtain nitrate, pH and redox potential profiles within anoxic denitrifying biofilms. The influence of a toxic organic compound (acid orange 7) on biofilm microprofiles was also monitored using microelectrodes. The data provide evidence that the denitrifying biofilms were stratified into an anoxic layer and an anaerobic layer. The anaerobic zone might provide a niche for the biodegradation of recalcitrant organic compounds in biofilms. It was found that acid orange 7 and its biodegradation byproducts had only a slight impact on biofilm nitrate, pH and redox potential profiles.