Biosorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol by live and chemically inactivated anaerobic granules

Equilibrium sorption isotherms and sorption kinetics of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) on live and chemically inactivated anaerobic granules were investigated using batch serum bottle tests. A general metabolic inhibitor, sodium azide, was used to inactivate the biological activity of the anaerobic biomass. Experimental results showed that the difference in the biosorption of live and chemically inactivated anaerobic granules were not significant, suggesting that anaerobic biosorption is mainly a physical-chemical process and that metabolically mediated diffusion in the process is negligible.