Composite beads for forming in situ microcosm of biodegrading microbial communities in groundwater

For exploring a new tool, which could monitor in situ biodegradability of the organic pollutants in groundwater, AC-N composite beads for forming in situ microcosm of biodegrading microbial communities were prepared using activated carbon and nylon66. The characterization results showed that the AC-N beads had open and through porous structure which formed by the hydrogen bond interaction between activated carbon and nylon66. The bead could adsorb enough organic pollutants such as 40 mg/g naphthalene with desorption ratio less than 4.5%. The bacteria Bacillus subtilis could enter into and colonize in the AC-N beads.