Acclimation and selection for methanesulphonic acid (MSA) degrading microbial population using continuous culture techniques

Methanesulphonic acid (MSA) has been suggested as a missing link in the biogeochemical sulphur cycle. A study was carried out to acclimate, select, and enrich for MSA-degrading micro-organisms using continuous culture techniques. Prolonged acclimation resulted in the selection of MSA-degrading micro-organisms in an activated sludge system. Complete mineralization was achieved at concentrations of 5-1000 MSA mg per litre. Sulphate generation increased with increasing MSA loading. Ion chromatography analyses of the effluent sulphate concentration confirmed the MSA:sulphate mass balance. Average total organic carbon and total oxygen demand removals were greater than 94 and 91 per cent, respectively. Micro-organisms naturally present in any activated sludge wastewater treatment plant could be acclimated to degrade MSA.