Simultaneous removal of Cr(VI) and phenol in chemostat culture of E. coli ATCC 33456 and P. putida DMP-1

Abstract

A chemostat coculture consisting of a phenol-degrading organism, P. putida, and a Cr(VI)-reducing strain, E. coli ATCC 33456, was evaluated for its potential to simultaneously remove phenol and Cr(VI). Steady-state operating conditions were obtained with near complete removal of phenol and Cr(VI) under a range of influent concentration of phenol (233–2541 mg/l), influent Cr(VI) (1–10.3 mg/l), and liquid detention time (2–6.7 days).