Anaerobic treatment of high-saline wastewater using halophilic methanogens in laboratory-scale anaerobic filters.

The presence of a high concentration of sodium in wastewater is considered inhibitory for anaerobic biological treatment. This research was designed to investigate the potential use of halophilic methanogens and a mixed culture of halophilic methanogens and digester sludge, in anaerobic filters, for treatment of organic pollutants in high-saline wastewater at 35 degrees C. Data related to startup of the filters are presented. Both halophilic and mixed-culture anaerobic filters were able to operate at a sodium chloride concentration of 35 g/L, at organic loading rates (OLRs) of 6.2 and 5 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/m(3) x d, respectively. The COD removal efficiency was as high as 80%, and the systems were able to maintain a low volatile fatty acids concentration of 500 mg/L. No significant difference in COD removal was observed between the halophilic filter and the mixed-culture filter. Increasing the salt concentration to 37 g/L at an OLR of 3 kg/m(3) x d caused system failure.