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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1991 June; 57(6): 1656-1662

Anaerobic biodegradation of cyanide under methanogenic conditions.

Central Research & Development Department, E.I. DuPont & Co., Inc., Wilmington, Delaware 19880-0173.

ABSTRACT

Upflow, anaerobic, fixed-bed, activated charcoal biotreatment columns capable of operating at free cyanide concentrations of greater than 100 mg liter-1 with a hydraulic retention time of less than 48 h were developed. Methanogenesis was maintained under a variety of feed medium conditions which included ethanol, phenol, or methanol as the primary reduced carbon source. Under optimal conditions, greater than 70% of the inflow free cyanide was removed in the first 30% of the column height. Strongly complexed cyanides were resistant to removal. Ammonia was the nitrogen end product of cyanide transformation. In cell material removed from the charcoal columns, [14C]bicarbonate was the major carbon end product of [14C]cyanide transformation.