Toxic Effects of Heavy Metals on the Growth and Phosphorus Removal Efficiency of Phosphorus Accumulating Microorganisms (PAOs)

Phosphorus accumulating microorganisms (PAOs) are influenced by various environmental factors and heavy metals. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of the selected heavy metals on the growth and phosphorus removal capacity of Bacillus sp. 3434 BRRJ, Pseudomonas aerunogisa, and Bacillus Subtilis, well known as PAOs. The heavy metals used in this study included Cu, Cd, As, and Zn. The $IC_{50}$ (median inhibition concentration) values of Bacillus sp. 3434 BRRJ for the Cu, Cd, As, and Zn were 8.07 mg $L^{-1}$, 0.18 mg $L^{-1}$, 73.62 mg $L^{-1}$ and 0.25 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ values of Pseudomonas aerunogisa for the Cu, Cd, As, and Zn were 4.45 mg $L^{-1}$, 0.16 mg $L^{-1}$, 18.51 mg $L^{-1}$ and 2.34 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ values of Bacillus Subtilis for the Cu, Cd, As, and Zn were 3.81 mg $L^{-1}$, 0.18 mg $L^{-1}$, 11.31 mg $L^{-1}$ and 0.47 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively. The phosphorus removal efficiencies of the three bacteria, Bacillus sp. 3434 BRRJ, Pseudomonas aerunogisa, and Bacillus subtilis were 93.12%, 71.81%, and 65.31%, respectively. Based on the results of the three PAOs obtained from the study, it appears that Bacillus sp. 3434BRRJ may have the best results in terms of their growth rate and P removal efficiencies.