Predicting the effects of chlorine on the micro-organisms of filamentous bulking activated sludges

Rapid and definite assessment of the effect that a specific biocide has on a specific case of filamentous bulking sludge is a much-needed tool in activated sludge wastewater treatment. The Live/Dead stain (LIVE/DEAD BacLight) distinguishing "living" and "non-living" cells, a nitrifying activity (NA) test and the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) measurement were examined for their appropriateness to predict the effects of chlorine on filamentous bulking sludges. The study showed the live/dead stain to be relevant for revealing the specific effect of chlorine on the filamentous bacteria of a bulking sludge. However, using live/dead stain alone for the determination of the appropriate chlorine dose against bulking may lead to an underestimation of the damage caused by chlorine to the useful microorganisms in the flocs. Indeed, using the live/dead stain, it was not easy to distinguish dead cells caused by chlorination from those originally present in the flocs The NA test was the most sensitive in detecting damage caused by chlorine to the floc-forming microorganisms. Therefore, for a safer determination of the chlorine dose effective against bulking and protective of the microbial activity of the sludge, the results of this study suggest coupling of the live/dead stain with the NA test and/or the OUR test.