Aerobic phenanthrene biodegradation in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor.

The aerobic degradation of phenanthrene by a Pseudomonas migulae strain under classical mechanical aeration and under photosynthetic oxygenation (using a Chlorella sorokiniana strain) in a two-phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) constructed with silicone oil as organic phase was investigated. When traditional mechanical aeration was used, an increase in the aeration and/or in the agitation rate enhanced phenanthrene biodegradation. Thus, phenanthrene removal rates (based on the total liquid volume of cultivation) ranged from 22 +/- 1 to 36 +/- 2 mg/l h at 100 rpm and 1 vvm and 400 rpm and 3 vvm, respectively. On the other hand, during phenanthrene biodegradation using the algal-bacterial microcosm a maximum rate of 8.1 +/- 1.2 mg/l h at 200 rpm and 8000 lux of illuminance was achieved.