In this study, a biodegradation model of based on molecular cellulose was established. It is a mathematical, kinetic model, assuming that two major enzymes randomly break glycosidic bonds of cellulose molecules, and calculates the number of molecules by applying the corresponding probability and degradation reaction coefficients. Model calculations considered enzyme dose, cellulose chain length, and reaction rate constant ratio. Degradation increased almost by two folds with increase of temperature (5℃→25℃). The change of degradation was not significant over the higher temperatures. As temperature increased, the degradation rate of the molecules increased along with higher production of shorter chain molecules. As the reaction rates of the two enzymes were comparative the degree of degradation for any combinations of enzyme application was not affected much. Enzyme dose was also tested through experiment. While enzyme dose ranged from 1 mg/L to 10 mg/L, the gap between real data and model calculations was trivial. However, at higher dose of those enzymes (>15 mg/L), the experimental result showed the lower concentrations of reductive sugar than the corresponding model calculation did. We determined that the optimal enzyme dose for maximum generation of reductive sugar was 10 mg/L.

Pollutants generated by the biodegradation of livestock carcasses have the potential for contamination of the environment. Hence, livestock mortalities burial has been banned in the EU. In spite of the hazard, research on the biodegradation of livestock carcasses is lacking. In this study, five lysimeters were used to evaluate the enhanced biodegradation of organic materials in livestock mortalities burial. Lysimeter 1(control), lysimeter 2(grinding of livestock carcass), lysimeter 3(anaerobic microorganisms), lysimeter 4(Corynebacterium glutamicum in anaerobic condition) and lysimeter 5(Corynebacterium glutamicum in aerobic condition) were operated with temperature control. The degradation efficiencies of livestock carcass in the lysimeters were evaluated based on total organic carbon balance. The degradation efficiencies of ground livestock carcass were 1.9 times more than those of livestock carcass without grinding. In anaerobic condition, anaerobic microorganisms were more effective compared with Corynebacterium glutamicum on the biodegradation of livestock carcasses. However, the degradation efficiencies with Corynebacterium glutamicum in aerobic condition were significantly influenced on the biodegradation of livestock carcasses. Even if it would be helpful to degrade the livestock carcass in aerobic condition in terms of stabilization, potential risks on the environment by odor and bioaerosol must be solved.

Haloacetic acids (HAAs) concentrations have been observed to decreased at drinking water distribution system extremities. This decrease is associated with microbiological degradation by pipe wall biofilm. The objective of this study was to evaluate HAAs degradation in a drinking water system in the presence of a biofilm and to identify the factors that influence this degradation. Degradation of monochloroacetic acid (MCAA), dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) was observed in a simulated distribution system. The results obtained showed that different parameters came into play simultaneously in the degradation of HAAs, including retention time, water temperature, biomass, and composition of organic matter. Seasonal variations had a major effect on HAAs degradation and biomass quantity (ATP concentration) was lower by 25% in the winter compared with the summer.

In this study we followed biofilm formation and development in a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter on pilot-scale during the 12 months of operation. GAC particles and water samples were sampled from four different depths (-5, -25, -50 and –90 cm from surface of GAC bed) and attached biomass were measured with adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) analysis and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) method. The attached biomass accumulated rapidly on the GAC particles of top layer throughout all levels in the filter during the 160 days (BV 23,000) of operation and maintained a steady-state afterward. During steady-state, biomass (ATP and HPC) concentrations of top layer in the BAC filer were 2.1 μg·ATP/g·GAC and 3.3×108 cells/g·GAC, and 85%, 83% and 99% of the influent total biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOCtotal), BDOCslow and BDOCrapid were removed, respectively. During steady-state process, biomass (ATP and HPC) concentrations of middle layer (-50 cm) and bottom layer (-90 cm) in the BAC filter were increased consistently. Biofilm development (growth rate) proceed highest rate in the top layer of filter (μATP = 0.73 day-1; μHPC = 1,74 day-1) and 78%∼87% slower in the bottom layer (μATP = 0.14 day-1; μHPC = 0.34 day-1). This study shows that the combination of different analytical methods allows detailed quantification of the microbiological activity in drinking water biofilter.

Adsorption and biodegradation performance of tetracycline antibiotic compounds such as ttetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC), minocycline (MNC), chlortetracycline (CTC), doxycycline (DXC), meclocycline (MCC), demeclocycline (DMC) on granular activated carbon (GAC) and anthracite-biofilter were evaluated in this study. Removal efficiency of seven tetracycline antibiotic compounds showed 54%∼97% by GAC adsorption process (EBCT: 5∼30 min). The orders of removal efficiency by GAC adsorption were tetracycline, demeclocycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, doxytetracycline, meclocycline and minocycline. Removal efficiencies of seven tetracycline antibiotic compounds showed 1%∼61% by anthracite biofiltration process (EBCT: 5∼30 min). The highest biodegradable tetracycline antibiotic compound was minocycline, and the worst biodegradable tetracycline antibiotic compounds were oxytetracycline and demeclocycline.

Biodegradable oil gelling agent was prepared, and their oil absorption capacities using light oil, lubricant oil and corn oil were investigated. The result showed that the oil absorption capacity was depended on the amount of surfactant and starch added, and was increased in the order of light oil, lubricant oil and corn oil. Also, the oil-absorption capacity was saturated within 30 min at 18℃. The biodegradability of the prepared biodegradable oil gelling agent was also studied by determination of reduced sugar produced after enzymatic hydrolysis. Their surface morphologies and thermal properties of the prepared biodegradable oil gelling agent were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively.

Starch was crosslinked with epichlorohydrin. Crosslinked starch-filled waterborne acrylate (CSWAC) films were prepared by blending this crosslinked starch with waterborne acrylate. The thermal and mechanical properties of these films were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile strength and elongation test. The biodegradability was also studied by determination of reduced sugar products after enzymatic hydrolysis and the surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The CSWAC film showed significantly higher tensile strength and elongation than those of starch-filled waterbonre acrylate (SWAC). The biodegradability of this film was higher than that of native starch-filled acrylate film, and was increased by the addition of crosslinked starch to the acrylate film.

The starch-filled waterborne acrylate (SWAC) films were prepared. The structures and properties of SWAC films were investigated by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and strength test. The biodegradability of SWAC film was also studied by determination of reduced sugar products after enzymatic hydrolysis. The surface morphology of the SWAC film was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the tensile strength and elongation of SWAC film decreased with the increase of starch content. The SWAC film showed significantly higher water absorbed content than waterbonre acrylate film. The biodegradability of SWAC film increased as the content of starch increased. The biodegradation of starch in SWAC film by α-amylase was about 77% of that of pure starch.

The biodegradability of vinyl acetate acrylate resin and corn starch blend was studied by determination of the reduced sugars produced after enzymatic hydrolysis. The starch hydrolysis reaction by α-amylase was achieved within 5 minutes. Optimal ranges of temperature and pH for the starch hydrolysis by α-amylase were around 80 oC and 6.5-7.2, respectively. The biodegradability of the starch-filled acrylate films increased as the content of starch increased. The biodegradation of starch in the starch-filled acrylate film by α-amylase was about 48.6% of that of pure starch. This value of biodegradable starch-filled acrylate film gave a good result with enzymatic shortcut test. The surface morphologies of the starch-filled acrylate film after enzymatic hydrolysis were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

The isolated strain, Rhodococcus sp. EL-GT was able to degrade high phenol concentrations up to 10 mM within 24 hours in the medium consisting of 5.3 mM KH2PO4, 95 mM Na2HPO4, 18mM NH4NO3, 1mM MgSO4·7H2O, 50μM CaCl2, 0.5μM FeCl3, initial pH8.0, temperature 30℃ in rotary shaker at 200rpm. This strain was good cell growth and phenol degradation in the alkaline pH range range, and the highest in the pH range of 7 to 9. The microorganism was able to grow at the various chlorinated phenols, benzene, toluene, and bunker-C oil. As Rhodococcus sp. EL-GT was good capable of attachment on the acryl media, it would be used as microorganism to consist of biofilm in wastewater treatment.

Microorganisms capable of degrading trichloroethylene(TCE) using phenol as a induction substrate were isolated from industrial effluents and soil. The strain MS-64K which had the highest biodegradability was identified as the genus Micrococcus. The optimal conditions of medium for the growth and biodegradation of trichloroethylene were observed as follows; the initial pH 7.0, trichloroethylene 1,000ppm as the carbon source, 0.2% (NH_4)_2SO_4 as the nitrogen source, respectively. Lag period and degradation time on optimal medium were shorter than those on isolation medium. Growth on the optimal medium was increased. Addition of 0.1% Triton X-100 increased the growth rate of Micrococcus sp. MS-64K, but degradation was equal to optimal medium. Trichloroethylene degradation by Micrococcus sp. MS-64K was shown to fit logarithmic model when the compound was added at initial concentration of 1,000ppm.

In order to find the most fitted biodegradation model, biodegradation kinetics model to the initial phenol and p-cresol concentrations were investigated and had been fitted by the linear regression. Bacteria capable of degrading p-cresol were isolated from soil by enrichment culture technique. Among them, strain M1 capable of degrading p-cresol has also degraded phenol and was identified as the genus Micrococcus from the results from of taxonomical studies. The optimal conditions for the biodegradation of phenol and pcresol by Micrococcus sp. M1 were NH_4NO_3 0.05%, pH 7.0, 30℃, respectively, and medium volume 100㎖/250㎖ shaking flask. Micrococcus sp. M1 was able to grow on phenol concentration up to 14mM and p-cresol concentration up to 8mM. With increasing substrate concentration, the lag period increased, but the maximum specific growth rates decreased. The yield coefficient decreased with increasing substrate concentration. The biodegradation kinetics of phenol and p-cresol were best described by Monod with growth model for every experimented concentration. In cultivation of mixed substrate, p-cresol was degraded first and phenol was second. This result implies that p-cresol and phenol was not degraded simultaneously.

A recycling soap was prepared from non-cooking oils. The effects of physical and chemical properties of the recycling soap on biodegradation are expected to be different due to the thermal histories of the non-cooking oils. Therefore, the biodegradation rate of the recycling soap was studied by using Klebsiella pneumoniae(K. pneumoniae), and the growth rate of K.pneumoniae in soap solution was observed. The biodegradation rate of the recycling soap appeared to be slower as the thermal histories of the non-cooking oils became larger. This might be resulted from hydrolysis, in which the ester bonds in the oils are broken to produce hydroxyl group. It was also observed that the growth rate of the microorganism decreased with the increase in the thermal histories of the oils. As a result, it is desired that recycling soap should be produced from the non-cooking oils with the proper ranges of thermal histories to reduce water contamination. The non-cooking oils with larger thermal histories are considered to be recycling through the cracking process before used.

Optimal biodegradation kinetics models to the initial nonylphenol ethoxylates-30 concentration were investigated and had been fitted by the linear regression. Microorganisms capable of degrading nonylphenol ethoxylates-30 were isolated from sewage near Ulsan plant area by enrichment culture technique. Among them, the strain designated as EL-10K had the highest biodegradability and was identified as Pseudomonas from results of taxonomical studies. The optimal conditions for the biodegradation were 1.0 g/l of nonylphenol ethoxylates-30 and 0.02 g/l of ammonium nitrate at pH 7.0 and 30℃. The highest degradation rate of nonylphenol ethoxylates-30 was about 89% for 30 hours incubation on the optimal condition. Biodegradation date were fit by linear regression to equations for 3 kinetic models. The kinetics of biodegradation of nonylphenol ethoxylates was best described by first order model for 0.1 ㎍/l nonylphenol ethoxylates-30 ; by Monod no growth model and Monod with growth model for 0.5 ㎍/ml and 1.0, 5.0 ㎍/ml, respectively.

In order to find the most fitted biodegradation model, biodegradation models to the initial 4-chlorophenol concentrations were investigated and had been fitted by the linear regression. The degrading bacterium, EL-091S, was selected among phenol-degraders. The strain was identified with Pseudomonas sp. from the result of taxonomical studies. The optimal condition for the biodegradation was as fellows: secondary carbon source, concentration of ammonium nitrate, temperature and pH were 200㎎/l fructose, 600 ㎎/l, 30℃ and 7.0 respectively. The highest degradation rate of the 4-chlorophenol was about 58% for 24 hours incubation on the optimal condition. Biodegradation kinetics model of 5 ㎎/l 4-Chlorophenol, 10 ㎎/l 4-chlorophenol and 50 ㎎/l 4-chlorophenol were fitted the zero order kinetics model, respectively.