Sulfide removal using immobilized living cell in alginate matrices in anaerobic condition

Biological sulfide oxidation using immobilized cells offers high removal efficiency, minimum cell loss, possibility of cells reuse, and protect cells from harmful substances and conditions in the bulk environment. In this study, sulfide was treated using immobilized cells under anaerobic batch process. Two methods of immobilization used in the process: using sodium alginate (AL) and chitosan-covered sodium alginate (ALC). Chitosan addition is expected to give better mechanical properties to the alginate matrix. Microbial culture used in the study was obtained from the Cikapundung river’s sediment. This experiment showed that the sulfide removal process using AL and ALC matrices achieved 93% and 98% removal after 10 days of incubation period, respectively.