UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2000 The removal of perchlorate from waters by a membrane- immobilized biofilm Jian Liu University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Liu, Jian, "The removal of perchlorate from waters by a membrane-immobilized biofilm" (2000). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1216. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/7d9k-byo4 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. 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THE REMOVAL OF PERCHLORATE FROM WATERS BY A MEMBRANE-IMMOBILIZED BIOFILM by Jian Liu Bachelor of Science East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China 1993 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science in Engineering Degree Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 2000 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1403089 UMI* UMI Microform 1403089 Copyright 2001 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. 80x1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval UNIV The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas November 15 .20 00 The Thesis prepared by J ia n L iu Entitled The Removal of Perchlorate From Waters by a Membrane-Immobilized Biofilm is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in C ivil and Environmental Engineering F- Bcduhb Examination Committee Chair Dean of the Graduate College Excffhination Committee Member Examination Comrnittee Member Graduate Collez^aadty Represent PR/10:7-33/l-00 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT The Removal of Perchlorate from Waters by a Membrane-Immobilized Biofilm by Jian Liu Dr. Jacimaria Ramos Batista, Examination Committee Chair Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering University of Nevada, Las Vegas This thesis investigated the feasibility of using a membrane-immobilized biofihn reactor to remove perchlorate from waters. Perchlorate (CIO4') is easily reduced under anaerobic conditions to harmless chloride (Cl'). In this system, the perchlorate- contaminated water is physically separated from the biofihn by the membrane. Perchlorate diffuses, without the need of external energy, to the degrading biofihn, thereby minimizing the contamination o f the product water by microbes. A mixed microbial culture capable biologically of reducing perchlorate was enriched and attached to the membrane surface. The results demonstrated the feasibihty of using a membrane- immobihzed biofilm reactor to remove perchlorate from waters. In addition, the results showed that nitrate and salinity negatively affect perchlorate biodégradation, while sulfate does not have a major effect on. perchlorate biodégradation. m Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT...............................................................................................................................üi LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................................ vii LIST OF TABLES.....................................................................................................................x ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.................................................................................................. xiii CHAPTER 1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM.......................................................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... I Objectives ......................................................................................................................4 CHAPTER! BACKGROUND.......................................................................................... 6 History of Perchlorate Synthesis ..................................................................................6 Chemical Properties of Perchlorate .............................................................................6 Physical Properties of Perchlorate ...............................................................................8 Health Effects of Perchlorate .......................................................................................9 Sources of Perchlorate Contamination and Applications ....................................... 13 Perchlorate Contamination in the USA ..................................................................... 15 Perchlorate Removal Technologies ......................... 17 Physicochemical Treatment .................................................................................17 Ion-Exchange Method .................................................................................... 17 Membrane Filtration Method .........................................................................19 Chemical Reduction Method .........................................................................19 Biological Treatment ........................................................................................... 20 Perchlorate-Biodegrading Microbes ............................................................20 Phytoremediation of Perchlorate ...................................................................29 Biological Reactors for Perchlorate Removal .............................................32 Biofihns and Membrane-Immobilized Biofilm Treatment .....................................37 CHAPTER 3 EXPERIMENTAL METHODS AND MATERIALS............................44 Set-Up of the Membrane-Immobilized Bio film Reactor ........................................44 Microporous Membranes Selection .......................................................................... 46 Determination of Diffusion Coefficient for Perchlorates, Nitrate, and Sulfate .....................................................................................48 Development of Perchlorate Degrading Emrichment Cultures .............................. 51 One-Liter Master Culture Reactor (MCR) .........................................................51 Four-Liter Master Culture Reactor (MCR) ........................................................53 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. SRT Studies for the Master Culture Reactor (MCR) ...............................................54 Development of Membrane-Immobilized Biofihns .................................................55 Perchlorate Biodégradation by Immobilized Biofilms ........................................... 59 Preliminary Kinetics Study of the ‘'BALP Culture .................................................61 Microscopic Studies .....................................................................................................64 Influence