Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain which is able to convert Hg⁺² into elemental Hg⁰, is isolated from sediment in a river. The bacteria are to be utilized for onsite bioremediation of soil contaminated with methyl mercury, which is nontoxic to humans. Kinetic parameters for the organism are found using data obtained from chemostat culture. A 1-L fermenter is used with a feed stream including 100 of methyl mercury. Steady state substrate concentrations are measured as a function of chemostat flow rate.
a. Calculate ₘₐₓ and K of the organism.
b. Calculate the maximum practical operating flow rate.
Flow rate (ml h⁻¹) Substrate concentration (M)
10 17.4
15 25.1
20 39.8
25 46.8
30 69.4
35 80.1
50 100