Phosphorus Removal Characteristics by Bacteria Isolated from Industrial Wastewater

Background: The removal of phosphate(P) in the wastewater is essential for the prevention of eutrophication in the river and stream. This study was initiated to evaluate the P removal by three strains of bacteria isolated from industrial wastewater. The three strains of bacteria, A1, A2, and A3, isolated were identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain CUPS 3, Rhodococcus erythropolis strain Sco-C01, Bacillus sp. 3434BRRJ, respectively. METHODS AND RESULTS: The experiments evaluating the effects of temperature, P concentration, aeration, and carbon sources on P removal by Bacillus sp. 3434BRRJ were performed in the following conditions: temperature, 15, 25 and ; P concentrations, 20, 30, and 40 mg/L; oxygen condition, aerobic, anaerobic/aerobic conditions; carbon sources, glucose, acetate and mixture of glucose and acetate. As a result, the best optimum conditions for P removal by Bacillus sp. 3434BRRJ were as follows: temperature, ; P concentration, 20 mg/L; carbon sources, mixture of glucose and acetate; oxygen concentration, anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The P removal efficiencies by Bacillus sp. 3434BRRJ, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain CUPS, and Rhodococcus erythropolis strain Sco-C01 were 99%, 50%, 20%, respectively. CONCLUSION: As a result, the best optimum conditions for P removal by Bacillus sp. 3434BRRJ selected and used in this study were as follows: temperature, ; P concentration, 20 mg/L; carbon sources, mixture of glucose and acetate; oxygen concentration, anaerobic and aerobic conditions.