Examining the influence of substrates and temperature on maximum specific growth rate of denitrifiers

The aim of this study was to evaluate denitrification maximum specific growth rates for three substrates, acetate, corn syrup and methanol, at two temperatures (13 8C and 19 8C). These temperatures approximately reflect the minimum monthly and average annual wastewater temperature at the Blue Plains AWTP. The results suggest that the maximum specific growth rate (mmax) for corn syrup (1.3 d21) and acetate (1.2 d21) are higher than that for methanol (0.5 d21) at low temperature of 13 8C. A similar trend was observed at 19 8C.