Identification of microbiological activities in wet flue gas desulfurization systems

Thermoelectric power generation from coal requires large amounts of water, much of which is used for wet flue gas desulfurization systems that mitigate acid rain. Microbial communities in these systems and throughout a thermoelectric power plant can influence system performance, waste processing and the long-term stewardship of residual wastes. Any microorganisms that survive in wet flue gas desulfurization slurries must tolerate high total dissolved solid concentrations and temperatures, but the inoculum for wet flue gas desulfurization systems are typically from fresh water surface waters with low total dissolved solid concentrations and temperatures. To determine the extents of microbiological activities in wet flue gas desulfurization systems, we examined the microbial activities and communities associated with three wFGDs.