Using a biotrickling filter for degradation of cypermethrin, an insecticide frequently used in Tahuapalca, Bolivia

Abstract: The feasibility of using bench-scale biotrickling filter reactors inoculated with the fungus UBAF004, isolated from soil in Tahuapalca, for treatment of water contaminated with cypermethrin was investigated. Wood chips, gravel and ceramics were tested as packing materials for the reactors in batch experiments in small glass flasks. Wood proved to be the material on which the fungus grew best and was thus chosen as the packing material for the reactors. It was determined that UBAF004 had quite low competitive strength compared to other microorganisms when growing on wood and gravel but not necessarily on ceramics. UBAF004 grew slowly in the reactors leading to poor degradation performance. The results obtained indicate that it will be challenging to use UBAF004 for treatment of water contaminated with cypermethrin in Tahuapalca. The single largest issue is to find a way to establish a stable population of the fungus in the reactor and to protect it from being out competed by other microorganisms.