Metabolic properties of the microbial community in the biofilters using Biolog microplates

Abstract

It is very important to know the structure and metabolic function of the microhial community in a bioreactor in order to improve its performance. In this study, two biofilters, packed with wood chips and granular activated carbons respectively, were operated for 160 days to treat toluene gas. The metabolic profiles of the microbial communities in the biofilters were monitored using Biolog microplates periodically during the experiments. The metabolic activities of the microorganisms in both biofilters were observed to decrease during long-term operation. According to the results of principle components analysis, the metabolic profiles of the microbial communities did not change much in the former period of the operation, but they changed in the inlet layers on day 103 and changed throughout the filter beds on day 160. The variation of the metabolic profiles in both biofilters showed little difference, which suggested that the packing media had little effect on them during long-term operation. Among the 95 carbon sources in Biolog microplate, carboxylic acids and amino acids were much easier to be utilized by the microorganisms in the biofilters than the other carbon sources.