ISSN 2249-9695 Original Article Bioremediation of waste waters by the anoxygenic photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides SMR 009

Photosynthetic bacteria consume different types of organic matter with a high growth rate and have been used for water purification of fish breeding ponds. The phototrophic species used for treatment of waste water are Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Rb.capsulatus, Rubrivivax gelatinosus and Rhodopseudomonas palustris. In continuation of our earlier studies, the present study showed that the remediation of sewage water effluents by the same organism showed a decrease in dissolved oxygen, COD and BOD to the extent of 8 %, 23% and 48% respectively. Treatment of leather industry effluents by Rhodobacter sphaeroides revealed a decrease in dissolved oxygen, COD and BOD to the extent of 10%, 58% and 19% respectively. Bicarbonates, chlorides, sulphates and organic matter also decreased significantly due to the activity of Rhodobacter sphaeroides.