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The aerobic biodegradation of high concentrations of 1-propanol and 2-propanol (IPA) by a mixed microbial consortium was investigated. Solvent concentrations were one order of magnitude greater than any previously reported in the literature. The consortium utilized these solvents as their sole carbon source to a maximum cell density of 2.4 x 10(9) cells ml(-1). Enrichment experiments with propanol or IPA as carbon sources were carried out in batch culture and maximum specific growth rates (mumax) calculated. At 20 degrees C, mumax values were calculated to be 0.0305 h(-1) and 0.1093 h(-1) on 1% (v/v) IPA and 1-propanol, respectively. Growth on propanol and IPA was carried out between temperatures of 10 degrees C and 45 degrees C. Temperature shock responses by the microbial consortium at temperatures above 45 degrees C were demonstrated by considerable cell flocculation. An increase in propanol substrate concentration from 1% (v/v) to 2% (v/v) decreased the mumax from 0.1093 h(-1) to 0.0715 h(-1). Maximum achievable biodegradation rates of propanol and IPA were 6.11 x 10(-3)% (v/v) h(-1) and 2.72 x 10(-3)% (v/v) h(-1), respectively. Generation of acetone during IPA biodegradation commenced at 264 h and reached a maximum concentration of 0.4% (v/v). The results demonstrate the potential of mixed microbial consortia in the bioremediation of solvent-containing waste streams.

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The effectiveness of ultrasonication as a pre-treatment method for the psychrophilic anaerobic treatment of aquaculture effluents was assessed using a 4 l solids digester. Ultrasonication of aquaculture wastewater was found to enhance the removal of chemical oxygen demand by anaerobic digestion by almost 10%. There was also a concurrent increase in total biogas production from 0.29 l day(-1) to 0.45 l day(-1) with a corresponding 10% increase in methane concentration. Furthermore, there was an increase of 60% in effluent total ammonia nitrogen concentration as a result of sonication in comparison with a 45% increase for untreated digester waste.

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