Phenol degradation and microbial characteristics in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors at ambient and mesophilic temperatures

A synthetic wastewater containing phenol as sole substrate was respectively treated at temperatures of 26±1°C and 37±1°C in 2.8 litre upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors. At the two temperatures, pH 7.0-7.5, with a 1:1 effluent recycle ratio, phenol in wastewater was efficiently degraded in a UASB reactor. Microbial community analysis using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that less shift in the microbial community occurred with the temperature changing. Phenol degradation in wastewater was recommended to select ambient temperature in UASB reactors. The optimal HRT was 12 to 16 hours corresponding to 6.0-4.5 g COD/(l.d) loading rate at ambient temperature in UASB reactors. The distribution of archaeal and bacterial populations in the UASB granular consortium was revealed using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) technique.