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A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
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Filamentous bacteria existence in aerobic granular reactors.
M Figueroa1, A Val del Río, J L Campos
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of Technology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago De Compostela, Galicia, Spain, monica.figueroa@usc.es.
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering
|December 24, 2014
Summary
Filamentous bacteria, often causing biomass settling issues in wastewater treatment, were studied in mature aerobic granular systems. Findings indicate incoming industrial wastewater, not inoculated sludge, is the primary source of these bacteria in established systems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Wastewater Engineering
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Filamentous bacteria are linked to biomass settling problems in wastewater treatment plants.
- Their role in initial aggregation within aerobic granular biomass systems is recognized.
- Limited research exists on filamentous bacteria development in mature aerobic granular systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and sources of filamentous bacteria in long-term operated aerobic granular systems.
- To analyze filamentous bacterial communities in granular biomass treating different industrial effluents.
Main Methods:
- Long-term operation (up to 300 days) of aerobic granular reactors.
- Analysis of bacterial communities in reactors fed with synthetic and industrial wastewater (fish canning, marine products).
- Identification of specific filamentous bacteria genera (Chloroflexi, Sphaerotilus natans, Thiothrix, Meganema perideroedes).
Main Results:
- Chloroflexi and Sphaerotilus natans were identified in synthetic wastewater, likely from inoculum.
- Thiothrix and Chloroflexi were found in fish canning industry wastewater.
- Meganema perideroedes was detected in marine product processing wastewater.
Conclusions:
- The primary source of filamentous bacteria in mature aerobic granular systems treating industrial effluents is the incoming wastewater.
- Specific filamentous bacteria populations are associated with particular industrial wastewater characteristics.
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