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Related Experiment Videos

Filamentous growth in activated sludge

H Chua1, K N Tan, M W Cheung

  • 1Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
|January 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Filamentous bacteria Nocardia amarae thrive on long-chain fatty acids, unlike Pseudomonas auruginosa. This suggests N. amarae contributes to activated sludge bulking when wastewater contains high levels of oils and fats.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Bulking and foaming in activated sludge are often linked to the overgrowth of filamentous microorganisms.
  • Understanding the specific metabolic capabilities of these filamentous bacteria is crucial for effective wastewater treatment management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the growth characteristics of filamentous Nocardia amarae and nonfilamentous Pseudomonas auruginosa on various fatty acids.
  • To determine the competitive potential of N. amarae in activated sludge systems fed with long-chain fatty acids, oils, and fats.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing of Nocardia amarae and Pseudomonas auruginosa using a range of fatty acids (C2-C24) as the sole carbon source.
  • Measurement of growth rates and substrate affinity (saturation constant) for both bacterial species on different fatty acids, including C24.
  • Comparative analysis of N. amarae's utilization of short-chain versus long-chain fatty acids.

Main Results:

  • Nocardia amarae demonstrated the ability to utilize all tested fatty acids for growth.
  • Pseudomonas auruginosa exhibited limited growth on fatty acids with chain lengths of 12 carbons or more.
  • N. amarae exhibited a lower maximum specific growth rate and saturation constant on C24 fatty acids compared to P. auruginosa, indicating a stronger affinity for long-chain fatty acids.

Conclusions:

  • Nocardia amarae possesses a significant competitive advantage in activated sludge processes when the influent contains a substantial proportion of long-chain fatty acids, oils, and fats.
  • The findings highlight the role of specific microbial metabolic capabilities in the phenomenon of activated sludge bulking and foaming.

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