Characteristics of Thiobacillus denitrificans in desulfuration and its application in hydrogen sulfide removal

Abstract:

High concentrations of hydrogen sulfide are generated during wastewater and sludge treatment processes. Thiobacillus denitrificans is an important desulfuration engineering bacterium capable of oxidizing hydrogen sulfide and other sulfides. The current article reviews the biological characteristics of Thiobacillus denitrificans and two pathways of hydrogen sulfide oxidization. Factors, e.g. sulfide load, nitrate or nitrite concentration, oxygen content and pH value, influencing oxidation efficiency, reaction velocity, pathway and form of products are summarized. The application of Thiobacillus denitrificans in odor removal is introduced and its potential use in simultaneous control of nitrogen- and sulfur-containing odor-causing substances is also discussed.

Key words:Thiobacillus denitrificans, Hydrogen sulfide, Nitrate, Aerobic oxidation, Anaerobic oxidation