Effects of temperature and pH on the biokinetic properties of thiocyanate biodegradation under autotrophic conditions
Authors: Jaai Kim , Kyung-Jin Cho , Gyuseong Han , Changsoo Lee* , Seokhwan Hwang*
Abstract
The simultaneous effects of temperature and pH on the biokinetic properties of thiocyanate biodegradation under mixed-culture, autotrophic conditions were investigated using response surface analysis (RSA) combined with biokinetic modeling. A partial cubic model, based on substrate inhibition biokinetics, was constructed for each kinetic coefficient in Andrew model (i.e., maximum specific growth rate (¥ìm), saturation coefficient (KS), and substrate inhibition coefficient (KSI)). Each model proved statistically reliable to approximate the responses of the kinetic coefficients to temperature and pH changes (r2 > 0.8, p < 0.05). Overall, the response surface models able to describe the biokinetic effects of temperature and pH on thiocyanate biodegradation within the explored region (20–30 ¡ÆC and pH 6.0–9.0) were successfully constructed and validated, providing fundamental information for better process control in thiocyanate treatment.