|
(73-09) Nitrification inhibition assay based on microbial sensors . Baumeister, Frank1, König, Andreas1, Bolz, Ulrike*,1, Kuch, Bertram1, Kretschmer, Andreas3, Bachmann, Till2, Schmid, Rolf2, Metzger, Jörg1, 1 University of Stuttgart, Institute of Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management, Bandtäle 2, Stuttgart, Germany3 "Energy of nature" Projektgesellschaft für umwelttechnische Anlagensysteme Leipzig mbH, Friedrich-Ebert-Strasse 33, Leipzig, Germany2 University of Stuttgart, Institute of Technical Biochemistry (ITB), Allmandring 31, Stuttgart, Germany ABSTRACT- Due to their slow growth autotrophic nitrifying bacteria are among the most sensitive purifiers in wastewater treatment plants. Organic matter, high concentrations of ammonium and toxic compounds from various industrial sources can disturb the purification process and inhibit the nitrification step. At present, pharmaceuticals (e.g. antibiotics) are discussed to possibly have an impact on the ecological system. However, only few data are available for the effect of these components on the nitrification process in aerobic wastewater treatment. Therefore, a biosensor system based on miniaturised micro-bial sensors was developed for the screening of inhibiting effects on nitrifying microorganisms. These biosensors are composed of nitrifying bacteria immobilised onto low cost oxygen electrodes produced in thick film technology and are integrated in a multichannel device. In this array, data from up to ten sensors can be simultaneously recorded, thus allowing the quantification of inhibiting and toxic effects of water samples within two hours. Results of the application of this system on industrial wastewater (e.g. tannery, electroplating, food industry) and chemicals with environmental relevance are presented and show that this new biosensor system is highly sensitive and enables reliable and fast measure-ments. Key words: biosensors, nitrification inhibition, pharmaceuticals, antibiotics |
