Aerobic phenanthrene biodegradation in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor

The aerobic degradation of phenanthrene by a Pseudomonas migulae strain under classical mechanical aeration and under photosynthetic oxygenation (using a Chlorella sorokiniana strain) in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) constructed with silicone oil as organic phase was investigated. When traditional mechanical aeration was used, an increase in the aeration and/or in the agitation rate enhanced phenanthrene biodegradation. Thus, phenanthrene removal rates (based on the total liquid volume of cultivation) ranged from 22±1 to 36±2mg/lh at 100rpm and 1vvm and 400rpm and 3vvm, respectively. On the other hand, during phenanthrene biodegradation using the algal-bacterial microcosm a maximum rate of 8.1±1.2mg/lh at 200rpm and 8000 lux of illuminance was achieved.