Highly efficient degradation of hydrogen sulfide, styrene, and m-xylene in a bio-trickling filter

Abstract Controlling the release of malodorous gas discharged from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has become an urgent environmental problem in recent years. In this study, a bio-trickling filter (BTF) inoculated with microorganisms acclimated to activated sludge in a WWTP was used as the degradation equipment. A continuous degradation experiment with hydrogen sulfide, styrene, and m-xylene in the BTF lasted for 84 days (12 weeks). The degradation capacities of the BTF for hydrogen sulfide, styrene, and m-xylene were evaluated, and the synergy and inhibition among the substrates during biodegradation are discussed. The results indicated that the degradation efficiencies of the BTF were as high as 99.2% for hydrogen sulfide, 94.6% for styrene, and 100.0% for m-xylene. When the empty bed residence time was 30 s, the maximum elimination capacities (EC) achieved for hydrogen sulfide was 38 g m−3 h−1, for styrene was 200 g m−3 h−1, and for m-xylene was 75 g m−3 h−1. Furthermore, the microbial species and quantity of microorganisms in the middle and top of the BTF were much higher than those at the bottom of the BTF. A variety of microorganisms in the BTF can efficiently degrade the typical and highly toxic malodorous gases released from WWTPs. This study can help increase the understanding of the degradation of a mixture of sulfur-containing substances and aromatic hydrocarbons in BTF degradation and promote the development of technologies for the reduction of a complex mixture of malodorous gas emissions from organic wastewater treatment.