Kinetics of aerobic biodegradation of dihydroxybenzenes by a p-nitrophenol-degrading activated sludge

► Aerobic biodegradation of dihydroxybenzenes was achieved by a PNP-degrading activated sludge. ► The PNP-degrading biomass was able to consume mixtures of dihydroxybenzenes. ► Hydroquinone and catechol were biodegraded faster than resorcinol. ► The presence of hydroquinone and catechol enhanced the resorcinol biodegradation rate. ► Haldane kinetics successfully described the biodegradation of hydroquinone and catechol.