Spatial sequencing of microbial reduction of chromate and nitrate in membrane bioreactor

Sequential reduction of chromate and nitrate, two competitive electron acceptors, has been demonstrated for strains of Pseudomonas genus for both planktonic cells and cells immobilised in agar layers on the surface of synthetic membrane. Denitrification occurs practically after chromate depletion. This order of reduction process is consistent with redox potentials of the respective reactions. In a membrane bioreactor, competitive inhibition results in nitrate transfer through the membrane without transformation. Thus the receiving phase is contaminated with nitrate. To address this problem, a membrane has been used for spatial sequencing of chromate and nitrate reduction. Bacterial cells were immobilised in two layers with each layer placed on opposing sides of the membrane. By this means, chromate reduction is localised into the layer contacting the feed phase while nitrate reduction occurs in the layer facing the receiving phase. As a result, only traces of the pollutants are detected in the receiving phase.