[Enhanced biological phosphorus removal in single aerobic process]
Fei-Fei Li1, Lin-Jiang Yuan, Lin-Yu Lu
1Key Laboratory of Northwest Water Resources, Environment and Ecology of Ministry of Education, Xi' an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China. feifeili0901@163.com
Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue
|November 16, 2010
Summary
This study shows enhanced biological phosphorus removal in aerobic systems using sodium acetate. Acclimated sludge utilizes acetate's aerobic oxidation to synthesize polyphosphate granules, improving phosphorus removal efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Wastewater Treatment
Context:
- Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs) with sodium acetate as the sole carbon source demonstrated effective phosphate removal under alternating anaerobic and aerobic conditions.
- Transitioning to a completely aerobic system maintained significant phosphorus removal capabilities.
Purpose:
- To investigate the phosphate removal performance and underlying mechanisms in a completely aerobic treatment system after acclimation to sodium acetate.
- To evaluate the role of sludge composition and metabolic activity in enhanced biological phosphorus removal.
Summary:
- A completely aerobic system achieved an average phosphate removal efficiency of approximately 50% (ranging from 40% to 73.9%) over 80 cycles.
- Sludge phosphate content increased from 1.43% to 6.56%, with polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and glycogen levels showing slight variations.
- Enhanced removal is attributed to the sludge's ability to use ATP from aerobic acetate oxidation for polyphosphate (poly-P) synthesis.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the potential for efficient phosphorus removal in single aerobic processes using acclimated sludge and acetate.
- Provides insights into microbial metabolic pathways driving enhanced biological phosphorus removal.
- Offers a potential strategy for optimizing wastewater treatment processes for nutrient removal.
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