AbstractHydroquinone is readily degraded by an acclimated activated sludge unit when present at concentrations of 100 mg/L in synthetic photographic or synthetic domestic wastes. A number of pure cultures of yeasts, fungi, and bacteria were isolated from soil and sludges which can utilize hydroquinone as a sole carbon source.1,4‐Benzoquinone, 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐benzoquinone, and β‐ketoadipic acid were detected as minor components during the biodegradation of hydroquinone by pure cultures, but they did not persist. The total organic carbon during biodegradation was accounted for within experimental error by hydroxylated aromatic compounds. At pH 7 or below, biodegradation by pure cultures or sludges leaves only ca. 2.1 of the total organic carbon in solution after 3–5 days. This value is comparable to values observed for easily assimilated substrates under similar conditions.At higher pH and in the absence of sulfite, some humic acids may be formed by chemical oxidation if the inoculum is low; these materials resist bi
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