Abstract:The simultaneous removal of Cr(Ⅵ) and phenol in a consortium culture containing Cr(Ⅵ) reducer, Bacillus sp. and phenol degrader, Pseudomonas putida Migula (CCTCC AB92019) was studied. Phenol was used as the sole carbon source. Bacillus sp. utilized metabolites formed from phenol degradation as electron donors and energy source for Cr(Ⅵ) reduction. Optimum Cr(Ⅵ) reduction was observed at a phenol concentration of 150 mg/L and an initial Cr(Ⅵ) concentration of 15 mg/L. Both the Cr(Ⅵ) reduction and phenol degradation were influenced by the cell composition of the culture, but the phenol degradation was not significantly affected by the content of Bacillus sp. The experiments also showed that the amount of phenol degraded was more than that stoichiometrically required for Cr(Ⅵ) reduction.

Key words: phenol; chromate; consortium culture; biodegradation