Abstract
ABSTRACT
Aqueous solutions of the monomers styrene, methyl methacrylate (MMA), and β-hydroxybutyric acid (HBA) have been biologically treated using a mixed microbial population immobilized in calcuim alginate gel. The effect of their structure on biodegradability have been studied. A comparison of biodegradation rates (3.3, 9.3, and 15 ppm/hr for styrene, MMA, and HBA respectively) indicates the scale of difficulty encountered in biodegrading these monomers. The results show that monomers with a ring structure are relatively difficult to biodegrade than straight chain monomers with a double bond which are relatively difficult to biodegrade when compared to straight chain monomers with no double bond.
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