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Biomass behaviour in a conventional activated sludge system treating olive mill wastewater
Tawfik El Moussaoui1,2, Yasamine Jaouad1,2, Laila Mandi1,2
1a Laboratory of Hydrobiology Ecotoxicology and Sanitation LHEA URAC 33 , University Cadi Ayyad , Marrakech , Morocco.
Environmental Technology
|March 10, 2017
Summary
This study shows activated sludge systems effectively treat olive mill wastewater, with biomass adapting well to increasing loads. High removal rates for COD and phenolic compounds were achieved, demonstrating efficient wastewater treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Wastewater Treatment Engineering
Background:
- Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) poses significant environmental challenges due to its high organic load and phenolic content.
- Activated sludge systems (ASS) are widely used for wastewater treatment, but their performance with recalcitrant compounds like those in OMWW requires optimization.
- Understanding biomass behavior under varying OMWW loading is crucial for designing efficient and stable treatment processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior of activated sludge biomass in a continuous system treating OMWW.
- To evaluate the impact of increasing OMWW food-to-microorganism (F/M) ratios on biomass growth, activity, and microbial community structure.
- To assess the removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenolic compounds, and the settleability of the sludge.
Main Methods:
- A continuous mode activated sludge system was operated with gradually increasing OMWW F/M ratios.
- Biomass growth (TSS, VSS), specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR), microbial characterization (aerobic bacteria, Pseudomonas sp., fungi, yeast), sludge volume index (SVI), and removal of COD and phenolic compounds were monitored.
- Statistical analysis (p < .05) was used to determine the significance of changes in microbial populations.
Main Results:
- Biomass successfully grew to concentrations of 6.79 gTSS l-1 and 5.42 gVSS l-1.
- High specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) averaging 9.95 mgO gVSS-1h-1 indicated good biomass viability and physiological activity.
- Significant increases in microbial populations capable of degrading COD and phenolic compounds were observed with increasing OMWW load, correlating with high removal efficiencies (95% COD, 93% phenolic compounds) and optimal sludge settleability (SVI).
Conclusions:
- Activated sludge systems demonstrate robust performance and adaptability in treating olive mill wastewater, even under increasing organic loading.
- The microbial community within the ASS effectively adapts to OMWW, enhancing the degradation of COD and phenolic compounds.
- The study confirms the suitability of ASS for efficient OMWW treatment, achieving high pollutant removal and maintaining good sludge characteristics.
