The inhibitory effect of different concentrations of phenol on anaerobic granular sludge was investigated.It suggested that the higher the concentration of phenol, the worse the methanogenic activity, the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and the activity co-enzyme F420 of the anaerobic granular sludge. At the same time, the activity of anaerobic granular sludge might be rejuvenated completely or partly in case the phenol concentration was relatively low (less than 200 mg·L-1).
