Model Parameters for Aerobic Biological Sulfide Oxidation in Sewer Wastewater
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors discuss their findings on the effect of sulfide production in wastewater for sewer systems. As the bacterial cultures were aerated and grown, concentration of various sulfurous species, as well as pH, COD, DO, and alkalinity, were carefully monitored and sulfide oxidation was analyzed, seeing large growth of oxidation with increased sulfide additions. The discussion, modeling, and validity of the biological sulfide oxidation was well defined. The manuscript is recommended for publication as is.
Author Response
Dear reviewer. Thank you for your remarks. We received comments from three reviewers’ in total. Overall, the suggested modifications of the manuscript were rather limited. We have improved the discussion of the practical impacts of the research with respect to H2S management.
Reviewer 2 Report
It is a nice paper, which deserved a publication. Just one question: what is the parctical impacts of the research with respect to H2S management ?
Author Response
Dear reviewer. Thank you for your remarks. We received comments from three reviewers’ in total. Overall, the suggested modifications of the manuscript were rather limited. We have improved the discussion of the practical impacts of the research with respect to H2S management. Specifically, it has been described that the results will be included in future versions of the WATS sewer process model developed at Aalborg University. Currently, growth of sulfide oxidizing bacteria is not included in the model. Instead, the process has been described by a fixed rate constant. Revisions have been made in the introduction and in the conclusions.
Reviewer 3 Report
The model parameters for aerobic biological sulfide oxidation in sewer wastewater are characterized in this paper. The authors focused on the kinetics of the process. The main objective of the study is to investigate the kinetics and stoichiometry of biological sulfide oxidation in wastewater and to quantify the associated growth of the SOB. The authors based on the experimental investigations proposed a conceptual model describing the sulfur transformations. I cannot see anything wrong with the methodology and analysis of the results.
In conclusion, the paper is thorough, well organized, and presented and it can be considered for publication in the Water.
Author Response
Dear reviewer. Thank you for your remarks. We received comments from three reviewers’ in total. Overall, the suggested modifications of the manuscript were rather limited. We have improved the discussion of the practical impacts of the research with respect to H2S management.