Biological degradation of nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds was investigated in activated sludge previously adapted to mineralize low concentrations of nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds. Normally, the time required for 95% degradation of 10 mg/l dinitrophenol (DNP) under aerobic conditions was less than 4 hours without any lag, and with mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) levels from 600 to 1,000 mg/l. However, when the initial DNP concentration was increased to 75 mg/l, lags and even complete inhibition of DNP degradation were observed. The length of the lag was found to increase proportionally with decreasing MLSS levels. When dilute activated sludge was incubated for extended periods (192 hours), degradation of 75 mg/l DNP did eventually occur after lag periods of 37 to 144 hours, depending on the MLSS concentration. DNP was degradable in high concentrations if MLSS concentrations were sufficiently high to allow growth of bacteria resistant to the toxic effects of DNP.
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