Biological denitrification in the presence of cyanide

Abstract

The influence of cyanide presence on the denitrification process using methanol, propanol, sodium acetate, glucose and acetone as the energy and carbon sources were described. It was shown that during denitrification the carbonyl compounds used as the sole energy and carbon sources for denitrifiers can form cyanohydrins with the cyanide ion. The product of cyanohydrin hydrolysis is biodegradable serving as electron donors for denitrifying bacteria. The simultaneous denitrifieation and cyanide removal was proved.