Fine-scale differences between Accumulibacter-like bacteria in enhanced biological phosphorus removal activated sludge.

A lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and six full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) performing enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) were surveyed. The abundance of Accumulibacter-related organisms in the full-scale plants was investigated using fluorescent in situ hybridization. Accumulibacter-related organisms were present in all of the full-scale EBPR plants, at levels ranging from 9% to 24% of total cells. The high percentage of Accumulibacter-related organisms seemed to be associated with configurations which minimize the nitrate recycling to the anaerobic zone and low influent BOD:TP ratios. PCR-based clone libraries were constructed from the community 16S rRNA gene plus the internally transcribed spacer region amplified from the SBR and five of the full-scale WWTPs. Comparative sequence analysis was carried out using Accumulibacter-related clones, providing higher phylogenetic resolution and revealing finer-scale clustering of the sequences retrieved from the SBR and full-scale EBPR     

Analysis of phosphorus removal and anaerobic selector performance in a full-scale activated sludge process in Singapore.

This paper analyses the performance of the anaerobic selector (A/O process) in a full-scale activated sludge process receiving mostly industrial sewage discharge (> 60%) in Singapore. In addition to the sludge settleability, enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) was studied. The sludge volume index (SVI) reduced from 200 to 80 ml g(-1) and foaming was suppressed significantly, indicating the effectiveness of the anaerobic selector in improving sludge settleability. The phosphorus removal efficiency was 66%, and 7.5 mg HAc-COD was consumed per mg PO4(3-) -P removed. In the anaerobic compartment, 31% of the SCOD and 73% of the acetic acid in the settled sewage were removed with PO4(3-) -P release of 14.1 mg PO4(3-)-P l(-1). The linear correlation between PO4(3-) -P release in the anaerobic compartment and PO4(3-) -P uptake in the aerobic compartment indicates that there is about 0.8 mg PO4(3-) -P release in the anaerobic compartment per mg PO34(3-) -P uptake in the aerobic compartment. The fates of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and its short chain acids (SCAs) in the process were studied and discussed.     

Two-stage thermophilic-mesophilic anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge from a biological nutrient removal plant.

A two-stage thermophilic-mesophilic anaerobic digestion pilot-plant was operated solely on waste activated sludge (WAS) from a biological nutrient removal (BNR) plant. The first-stage thermophilic reactor (HRT 2 days) was operated at 47, 54 and 60 degrees C. The second-stage mesophilic digester (HRT 15 days) was held at a constant temperature of 36-37 degrees C. For comparison with a single-stage mesophilic process, the mesophilic digester was also operated separately with an HRT of 17 days and temperature of 36-37 degrees C. The results showed a truly thermophilic stage (60 degrees C) was essential to achieve good WAS degradation. The lower thermophilic temperatures examined did not offer advantages over single-stage mesophilic treatment in terms of COD and VS removal. At a thermophilic temperature of 60 degrees C, the plant achieved 35% VS reduction, representing a 46% increase compared to the single-stage mesophilic digester. This is a significant level of degradation which could make such a process viable in situations where there is no primary sludge generated. The fate of the biologically stored phosphorus in this BNR sludge was also investigated. Over 80% of the incoming phosphorus remained bound up with the solids and was not released into solution during the WAS digestion. Therefore only a small fraction of phosphorus would be recycled to the main treatment plant with the dewatering stream.     

Hydrogen sulphide removal by activated sludge diffusion.

Odours from wastewater treatment plants comprise a mixture of various gases, of which hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is the main constituent. Microorganisms commonly found in wastewater can degrade sulphurous compounds. Therefore, the use of activated sludge (AS) for odour control offers an alternative to traditional waste gas treatment processes, such as biofilters, bioscrubbers and biotrickling filters, both in practical terms (use of existing facilities) and economically (minimal capital cost). The performance of AS diffusion as a bioscrubber for removing H2S at concentrations at 25, 75 and 150 ppmv was evaluated. Pilot-scale trials were undertaken using parallel 60-L aeration tanks and 20-L clarifier reactors at the Bedford Sewage Treatment Works, Carington, UK. Olfactometry measurements were also carried out to determine whether there was any increase in odour concentration owing to H2S diffusion. Hydrogen sulphide removal rates of 100% were obtained, with no noticeable increase in odour concentration throughout the trials as measured by olfactometry. Odour concentration was highest at the beginning of the trials and lowest during the high H2S dosing period, with similar values being obtained for test and control. It was concluded that AS diffusion is an effective bioscrubber for the removal of H2S odour.     

Improved nitrogen removal in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors by incorporation of Anammox bacteria into the granular sludge.

Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors may offer a number of advantages over conventional mixed-tank, SBR, and biofilm reactors, including high space-loading, low footprint, and resistance to shocks and toxins. In this study, we assessed the use of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor technology as applied to anaerobic ammonia removal, or Anammox. Four 200 ml UASB reactors were inoculated with 50% (by volume) anaerobic granular sludge and 50% flocular sludge from different sources (all with the potential for containing Anammox organisms). Tools used to assess the reactors included basic analyses, fluorescent in-situ hybridisation, and mathematical modelling, with statistical non-linear parameter estimation. Two of the reactors showed statistically identical Anammox activity (i.e., identical kinetic parameters), with good ammonia and nitrite removal (0.14 kgNHx m(-3) reactor day(-1), with 99% ammonia removal). The third reactor also demonstrated significant Anammox activity, but with poor identifiability of parameters. The fourth reactor had no statistical Anammox activity. Modelling indicated that poor identifiability and performance in the third and fourth reactors were related to an excess of reduced carbon, probably originating in the inoculum. Accumulation of Anammox organisms was confirmed both by a volume loading much lower than the growth rate, and response to a probe specific for organisms previously reported to mediate Anammox processes. Overall, the UASB reactors were effective as Anammox systems, and identifiability of the systems was good, and repeatable (even compared to a previous study in a rotating biological contactor). This indicates that operation, design, and analysis of Anammox UASB reactors specifically, and Anammox systems in general, are reliable and portable, and that UASB systems are an appropriate technology for this process.     

生物捕食污泥减量化系统的污泥特性

通过中试分析了以减量化为目的的微型动物捕食系统中活性污泥的特性.结果表明,细菌分散培养段的悬浮污泥浓度比原生动物捕食段约高15%,比大型微型动物捕食段约高40%;微型动物的捕食作用在减少剩余污泥产率的同时,可以提高悬浮污泥的沉降性能约36%,轮虫可作为该系统污泥沉降性能的指示生物;低底物浓度下,大型微型动物的捕食活动可以增强污泥的活性.     

Nitrogen removal from piggery waste with anaerobic pretreatment.

Aerobic degradation of high strength piggery waste elevated the reactor temperature inhibiting nitrification. This study included anaerobic pretreatment with various influent by-pass rates to control the temperature and to minimize the external carbon requirement for denitrification. To find the optimum operating conditions, both lab-scale AnSBR (anaerobic sequencing batch reactor) and Ax/Ox (anoxic/oxic) SBR were operated at 35 degrees C. The heat energy released from Ax/Ox SBR was assumed to be used for heating the AnSBR, with which the Ax/Ox reactor temperature could successfully be controlled below 40 degrees C. The optimum rates of by-pass were 1.0 for winter, 0.4 for spring/fall and 0.2-0.4 for summer, respectively. Applying the correction factors for the measured AUR2 (nitrite nitrification rate) and AUR (nitrate nitrification) at the predicted temperatures, the required oxic HRTs were computed. The required Ax/Ox HRT ratios were respectively 0.5 for COD/TKN>8, 1.0 for COD/TKN ratio of 5.5-8 and 3.5 for below 5.5. The optimum HRTs were 16 days for AnSBR and 17 days for Ax/Ox SBR with the corrected AUR2.     

Interactions between filamentous sulfur bacteria,sulfate reducing bacteria and poly-P accumulating bacteria in anaerobic-oxic activated sludge from a municipal plant

The interactions between filamentous sulfur bacteria (FSB), sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) and poly-P accumulating bacteria (PAB) in the activated sludge of a municipal plant operated under anaerobic-oxic conditions were examined in batch experiments using return sludge (RAS) and settled sewage. Phosphate release and sulfate reduction occurred simultaneously under anaerobic conditions. SRB were more sensitive to temperature changes than PAB. SRB played an important role in the decomposition of propionate to acetate. When the sulfate reduction rates were high, there was a tendency for the maximum release of phosphate also to be high. This was explained by the fact that PAB utilized the acetate produced by SRB. Sulfur oxidizing bacteria were sensitive to temperature change. When the sulfate reduction rate was high, the sulfide oxidizing rate was also high and filamentous bulking occurred. The results showed that sulfate reduction was a cause of filamentous bulking due to Type 021N that could utilize reduced sulfur.     

Simultaneous biological removal of sulphide and nitrate by autotrophic denitrification in an activated sludge system.

The feasibility of an autotrophic denitrification process in an activated sludge reactor, using sulphide as the electron donor, was tested for simultaneous denitrification and sulphide removal. The reactor was operated at nitrate (N) to sulphide (S) ratios between 0.5 and 0.9 to evaluate their effect on the N-removal efficiency, the S-removal efficiency and the product formation during anoxic oxidation of sulphide. One hundred per cent removal of both nitrate and sulphide was achieved at a NLR of 7.96 mmol N-L(-1) x d(-1) (111.44 mg NO3- -N x L(-1) x d(-1)) and at a N/S ratio of 0.89 with complete oxidation of sulphide to sulphate. The oxygen level in the reactor (10%) was found to influence the N-removal efficiency by inhibiting the denitrification process. Moreover, chemical (or biological) oxidation of sulphide with oxygen occurred, resulting in a loss of the electron donor. FISH analysis was carried out to study the microbial population in the system.     

活性污泥工艺中污泥减量化技术研究进展

污泥减量化技术是在剩余污泥资源化基础上进一步提出的剩余污泥处置新概念;根据生物处理工艺中影响剩余污泥产生的可能途径,将污泥减量技术归纳为降低细菌合成量的解偶联技术、增强微生物进行内源呼吸代谢的溶胞技术、利用食物链作用强化微型动物对细菌捕食的技术;并对当前污泥减量化技术进行了理论分析和应用上的概述。     

Microbial community change of sulfate reduction and sulfur oxidation bacteria in the activated sludge cultivated with acetate and peptone.

The growth of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) and filamentous sulfur bacteria was monitored on a laboratory scale in activated sludge reactors using acetate and peptone as the artificial wastewater. When the artificial wastewater contained acetate and peptone, filamentous bacteria increased in the sludge and the SVI values increased. There was a good correlation between sulfate reducing activity and sulfur oxidation activity in the produced sludge. The microbial community change of filamentous sulfur bacteria and sulfate reducing bacteria was analyzed using the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) method. The tendency for the growth of filamentous sulfur bacteria Thiothrix eikelboomii following the growth of SRB was observed. The percentage of SRB385- hybridized cells and DNMA657-hybridized cells found in the total cell area increased from 2-3% to 7-10% when the filamentous bulking occurred.     

多级高浓度活性污泥法脱氮除磷中试研究

多级高浓度活性污泥法在不征地、不增加处理构筑物的情况下,以提高活性污泥浓度为指导思想,对现有城市污水处理厂进行升级改造,达到脱氮除磷的目的。中试研究表明,在试验条件下,出水CODCr为33～43mg/L,去除率92%左右;NH3-N为3～5mg/L,去除率90%左右;TP为1～1.7mg/L,去除率72%左右。系统保证了良好的脱氮除磷效果。     

Identity, abundance and physiology of Aquaspirillum-related filamentous bacteria in activated sludge.

Microcolony-forming bacteria closely related to the genus Aquaspirillum in the Betaproteobacteria were recently observed to be abundant in many nutrient removal wastewater treatment plants. The developed oligonucleotide probe, Aqs997, however, occasionally also targeted some filamentous bacteria in activated sludge samples when fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed. In this study, the identity, abundance, and ecophysiology of these Aqs997-positive filamentous bacteria were studied in detail. Most of the Aqs997-positive filamentous bacteria could morphologically be identified as either Eikelboom Type 1701, Type 0041/0675 or possibly Type 1851, all characterized by epiphytic growth. They were found in almost all 21 wastewater treatment plants investigated. Two morphotypes were found. Type A filaments, which seemed to be the same genotype as the microcolony-forming bacteria targeted by probe Aqs997.Type B filaments also hybridized with probe GNS941, specific for the Chloroflexi phylum, so the true identity remains unclear. Aqs997-positive filaments usually stained Gram-negative, but Gram-positive filaments were also found, stressing the difficulties in identifying bacteria from morphology and simple staining results. Studies on the ecophysiology by microautoradiography showed that Aqs997-positive filamentous bacteria did not consume acetate and glucose, while some took up butyrate, mannose, and certain amino acids. Most likely, some Aqs997-positive filamentous bacteria were able to perform full denitrification such as the Aqs997-positive microcolony-forming bacteria, and some were able to store polyhydroxyalkanoates under anaerobic conditions, potentially being glycogen accumulating organisms.     

Hydrolysis and fermentation of activated sludge to enhance biological phosphorus removal.

The conventional mainstream enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process depends on the quality of the raw incoming wastewater. An alternative sidestream EBPR process is presented, where the substrates for storage by the polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) instead come from hydrolysis of the return activated sludge. This process is studied in full-scale at two treatment plants and quantified by means of phosphorus release rates and readily biodegradable COD (RBCOD) accumulation rates. It was seen that not only was a significant amount of RBCOD stored by PAOs but an approximately equal amount was accumulated in the sidestream hydrolysis tank and made available for the subsequent nitrogen removal process. The phosphorus release of the sludge with and without addition of different substrates was furthermore studied in laboratory scale. The study showed that the process is promising and in a number of cases will have significant advantages compared with the conventional mainstream EBPR     

Anammox bacteria enrichment and characterization from municipal activated sludge

A sustainable option for nitrogen removal is the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) process in which ammonium is oxidized to nitrogen gas with nitrite as electron acceptor. Application of this process, however, is limited by the availability of anammox biomass. In this study, two Brocadia-like anammox phylotypes were successfully enriched, detected and identified from an activated sludge taken from a domestic wastewater treatment plant (Minas Gerais, Brazil) employing a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR). The dominant phylotype was closely related to 'Candidatus Brocadia sinica', but one clone seemed to represent a novel species for which we propose the name 'Candidatus Brocadia brasiliensis'. Based on Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, this enrichment led to a relative population size of 52.7% (±15.6) anammox bacteria after 6 months of cultivation. The cultivation process can be divided into three phases: phase 1 (approximately 25 days) was characterized by heterotrophic denitrification metabolism, phase 2 was the propagation phase and phase 3 (from the 87th day onwards), in which significant anammox activity was detected. A long-term performance of the SBR showed a near perfect removal of nitrite based on the influent NO(2)(-)-N concentration of 61-95 mg L(-1). The average ammonia removal efficiency was 90% with the influent NH(4)(+)-N concentration of 55-82 mg L(-1). Therefore, anammox cultivation and enrichment from activated sludge was possible under a controlled environment within 3 months.     

Occurrence and significance of filamentous bacteria in pulp and paper activated sludge systems.

A microbial survey of 27 activated sludge (AS) systems included 16 conventional activated sludge (CAS) systems, five sequential batch reactors (SBR) and six oxygen-activated sludge (OAS) systems, all treating pulp and paper effluents. The most prevalent filaments observed were Thiothrix (26%) and Type 021N (22%). The designs of the activated sludge systems seemed to have an effect on the filament types. We found Thiothrix to be the most common filament associated with bulking. For CAS systems, a completely mixed mode of operation promoted Thiothrix and Type 021N growth. Type 021N was favoured in CAS systems with food to microorganism (F/M) ratios higher than 0.2, and with dissolved oxygen (DO) residuals higher than 2 ppm, while Thiothrix generally proliferated at lower F/M ratio and DO residuals. Nutrient deficiencies as well as nutrient dosage variations were suspected in most of the systems having Thiothrix and Type 021N as the most prevalent filaments. Thiothrix appeared to prefer polyphosphate and/or ammonia rather than urea/phosphoric acid as N and P sources. Systems with aerobic selectors showed the lowest filament counts, while systems with no selectors showed the highest filament counts.     

Nitrogen removal from the saline sludge liquor by electrochemical denitrification.

Sludge liquor from the sludge dewatering process has a high ammonia content. In the present study, a lab-scale electrochemical (EC) system with a pair of Ti electrode plates was used for treating the sludge centrate liquor of digested wastewater sludge with a NH4(+) - N content of around 500 mg/L. The sludge liquor had a high salinity due to seawater being used for toilet flushing in Hong Kong. The results show that the EC process is highly effective for denitrification of the saline sludge liquor. Complete nitrogen removal could be achieved within 1 hr or so. The rate of EC denitrification increased with the current intensity applied. The best current efficiency for nitrogen removal was obtained for a gap distance between the electrodes at 8 mm. Electro-chlorination was considered to be the major mechanism of EC denitrification. The formation of chlorination by-products (CBPs) appeared to be minimal with the total trihalomethanes (THM) detected at a level of 300 microg/L or lower. The power consumption for EC denitrification was around 23 kWh/kg N. Additional electro-flocculation with a pair of iron needle electrodes could enhance the flocculation and subsequent sedimentation of colloidal organics in the sludge liquor, increasing the organic removal from less than 30% to more than 70%. Therefore, the EC process including both electro-denitrification and electro-flocculation can be developed as the most cost-effective method for treatment of the saline sludge liquor.     

Granulation in an upflow anaerobic sequencing batch reactor treating disintegrated waste activated sludge.

An upflow anaerobic reactor operated with a sequencing batch mode to enhance high rate digestion of raw and thermally disintegrated waste activated sludge with formation of granules. The gas production rate doubled when disintegrated waste activated sludge was introduced. Gradual granulation took place and the dispersed particles become coarse granulation as the operation continued. The granular sludge showed relatively higher specific methanogenic activity than the dispersed sludge. Bacterial morphology by a scanning electron microscope showed diversity of bacteria such as filamentous, rod and spherical shape in the section of granules. Filamentous bacteria, which might support the frame of a granule, were observed as long chains at the outer surface. Meanwhile, rod and spherical bacteria, which might play a role in the initial stage of granule formation, were observed from the inner surface of the granule. High rate digestion of sludge along with efficient liquid-solids separation was achieved due mainly to development of sludge granules within the upflow reactor.     

Nitrogen removal in recirculated duckweed ponds system.

Duckweed-based ponds (DWBPs) have the potential for nitrogen (N) removal from wastewater; however, operational problems such as duckweed die-off regularly occur. In this study, effluent recirculation was applied to the DWBPs to solve the above problem as well as to investigate N removal mechanisms. Two pilot scale recirculated DWBPs were employed to treat municipal wastewater. The average removal efficiencies for TN, TKN and NH4-N were 75%, 89% and 92%, respectively at TN loading of 1.3 g/m2.d and were 73%, 74% and 76%, respectively at TN loading of 3.3 g/m2.d. The effluent of the system under both operational conditions had stable quality and met the effluent standard. Duckweed die-off was not observed during the study, which proves the system stability and effluent recirculation which is thought to be a reason. N-mass balance revealed that nitrification-denitrification and duckweed uptake play major roles in these recirculated DWBPs. The rates of nitrification-denitrification were increased as TN loading was higher, which might be an influence from an abundance of N and a suitable condition. The rates of N uptake by duckweed were found similar and did not depend on the higher TN loading applied, as the duckweed has limited capacity to assimilate it.     

Behaviour of arsenic species in batch activated sludge process: biotransformation and removal.

The behaviour of As(III), As(V), MMA(v) and DMA(v) in batch activated sludge process were investigated. Experiments were carried out by using aerobic and anoxic reactors with an initial As concentration of 100 microjg I(-1). Under aerobic condition, As(III) was oxidized to As(V) within 9 hours, some part of MMA(v) was methylated to DMA(v) and some other part was demethylated to As(III), which in turn was immediately oxidized to As(V). Under anoxic condition, As(V) was reduced to As(III) within the same time-course. No significant transformation occurred during experiments conducted with DMA(v). It was found that all reactions were biologically mediated. The overall As removal was low (< 20%) during the experiments. Although a relationship seems to exist between the sludge concentration and As removal, it is concluded, under the conditions of our study, that the activated sludge process cannot remove arsenicals efficiently. However, it can control their transformations well. Thus, if associated with an appropriate technology, the activated sludge can be used for As pre-oxidation to treat As contaminated wastewaters. Finally, care must be taken on possible presence of MMA(v) in the influent of any wastewater treatment plant as it can be easily oxidized by the activated sludge.