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BOD biosensors for pulp and paper industry wastewater analysis

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Abstract

Introduction

Two semi-specific microbial biosensors were constructed for the analysis of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in high-cellulose-content pulp and paper industry wastewaters. The biosensors were based on living cells of Bacillus subtilis and Paenibacillus sp. immobilized in an agarose gel matrix. Semi-specific microorganisms were isolated from various samples (decaying sawdust and rabbit manure) and were chosen based on their ability to assimilate cellulose.

Materials & methods

The biosensors were calibrated with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development synthetic wastewater, and measurements with different wastewaters were conducted.

Results

The response time of biosensors using the steady-state method was 20–25 min, and the service life of immobilized microorganisms was 96 days. Detection limit was 5 mg/l of BOD7 while linear ranges extended up to 55 and 50 mg/l of the BOD7 for B. subtilis- and Paenibacillus sp.-based biosensors, respectively. Repeatability and reproducibility of both biosensors were within the limits set by APHA—less than 15.4%. In comparison, both biosensors overestimated the BOD7 values in paper mill wastewaters and underestimated the BOD7 in aspen pulp mill wastewater.

Conclusions

The semi-specific biosensors are suitable for the estimation of organic pollution derived from cellulose, while the detection of pollution derived from tannins and lignins was minor. Better results in terms of accuracy and repeatability were gained with Paenibacillus sp. biosensor.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Estonian Science Foundation (grant ETF 9136) and the target-financed project of the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research NoSF0180135s08, named “Processes in macro- and microheterogeneous and nanoscale systems and related technological applications.”

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Ravila 14a, 50411, Tartu, Estonia

    Merlin Raud & Marti Tutt

  2. Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse St 1, 50411, Tartu, Estonia

    Eerik Jõgi

  3. Institute of Technology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56, Tartu, 51014, Estonia

    Timo Kikas

Authors
  1. Merlin Raud
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  2. Marti Tutt
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  3. Eerik Jõgi
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  4. Timo Kikas
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Correspondence to Merlin Raud.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Raud, M., Tutt, M., Jõgi, E. et al. BOD biosensors for pulp and paper industry wastewater analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res 19, 3039–3045 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-0817-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-0817-0

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