Development of a kinetic model for elemental sulfur and sulfate formation from the autotrophic sulfide oxidation using respirometric techniques

Abstract

A kinetic model for the elemental sulfur and sulfate production from the autotrophic sulfide oxidation has been proposed. It is based on two kinetic equations able to describe the simultaneous microbial consumption of oxygen and sulfide (OUR and SUR) as a function of a particular sulfide-oxidizing microorganism or its physiological state, these can be characterized by the assessment of their kinetic constants. The respirometric technique allowed to estimate the dynamic experimental OUR and SUR profiles, which were used to calibrate the kinetic model. The ratio OUR/SUR was proposed to predict the sulfide oxidation extent and then the fate of sulfide to elemental sulfur and sulfate.