Transient response of continuously cultured heterogeneous populations to changes in temperature

Completely mixed, once-through continuous culture systems of heterogeneous microbial populations of sewage origin were systematically examined for response to changes in reactor temperature. Systems were operated at two dilution rates of 0.125 and 0.25 per h. "Steady state" conditions of the systems were assessed with the reactors operating at 25 C. From this base line, temperature was decreased to as low as 8 C and increased to as high as 57.5 C. Response was assessed in the ensuing transient phase as the system approached a new "steady state." The response was measured by changes in amount and type of carbon source in the reactor effluent as determined by the chemical oxygen demand test, the anthrone test, and gas chromatography. Biological solids concentration and cell composition (protein, carbohydrate, ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid) were also determined. These systems responded more favorably to increases than to decreases in temperature. Regardless of the direction of change, the system with the lowest dilution rate (D = 0.125 per h) responded more successfully; i.e., there was less leakage of carbon source in the effluent and less dilute-out of cells during the transient phase.