Enhancement of phenol biodegradation by south magnetic field exposure

Abstract

Microbial pellets in the presence of south pole magnetic fields demonstrate enhanced oxidation of phenol. Earlier work at 0·49 tesla indicates qualitatively that a unipolar north magnetic field inhibits and a south magnetic field accelerates phenol oxidation rates of an alginate immobilized, mixed bacterial culture bioreactor. This work demonstrates further enhancement by exposure during phenol oxidation at 0·15 and 0·35 tesla, as well as by exposure during acclimation of the free microorganisms prior to immobilization. The enhancement of biodegradation is a function of magnetic field strength and time of exposure. Enhancement is greatest at 0·15 tesla and indicates the existence of an optimum south magnetic field strength ©1997 SCI