H2S gas biological removal efficiency and bacterial community diversity in biofilter treating wastewater odor

► The present study aimed at assessing the performance of biofilter packed with peat to treat H2S gas. ► The diversity of the microbial community in the biofilter bed was also evaluated by means of SSCP. ► The removal efficiency of H2S reached to 99%, at an EBRT of 60 s. ► SSCP profiles demonstrated significant changes in community structure between layers of peat. ► The peat bed may have potential application in H2S biofiltration system.