Oxygen Diffusion in Single Sludge Floc

Aggregate size-dependence of bacterial community separation in a full-scale membrane bioreactor plant

The size of bacterial aggregates can determine both nutrient removal and sludge/water separation in activated sludge processes. In this study, the bacterial community structures and network associations of different sized aggregates obtained from a full-scale membrane bioreactor plant over a one-year period were investigated. Our results showed that biodiversity of larger sized aggregates was significantly higher than that of smaller ones and that the bacterial compositions of different sized aggregates differed significantly from each other. Bacteria related to nutrient removal (e.g. denitrification, hydrolysis and fermentation) were found to be significantly more abundant in larger aggregates than smaller ones. Network analysis revealed significant difference in species-species interactions, topological roles of individual OTU and keystone populations among different sized aggregates. Moreover, the occurrence of keystone OTUs affiliated with denitrifiers (Thermomonas) in networks of large and medium aggregates may suggest that denitrification influences bacterial interactions in large and medium aggregates. Overall, our results indicate the aggregates size-dependence of bacterial community separation in activated sludge. The current findings not only can provide guidance for process design and operation optimization, but also highlight the necessity for paying more attentions to the aggregate-based community, metabolic function and gene expression of activated sludge in future studies.

Effects of oxygen and water content on microbial distribution in the polyurethane foam cubes of a biofilter for SO2 removal

The performance of a biofilter for off-gas treatment relies on the activity of microorganisms and adequate O₂ and H₂O. In present study, a microelectrode was applied to analyze O₂ in polyurethane foam cubes (PUFCs) packed in a biofilter for SO₂ removal. The O₂ distribution varied with the density and water-containing rate (WCR) of PUFCs. The O₂ concentration dropped sharply from 10.2 to 0.8mg/L from the surface to the center of a PUFC with 97.20% of WCR. The PUFCs with high WCR presented aerobic-anoxic-aerobic areas. Three-dimensional simulated images demonstrated that the structure of PUFCs with high WCR consisted of an aerobic "shell" and an anoxic "core", with high-density PUFCs featuring a larger anoxic area than low-density PUFCs. Moreover, the H₂O distribution in the PUFC was uneven and affected the O₂ concentration. Whereas aerobic bacteria were observed in the PUFC surface, facultative anaerobic microorganisms were found at the PUFC core, where the O₂ concentration was relatively low. O₂ and H₂O distributions differed in the PUFCs, and the distribution of microorganisms varied accordingly.

Temporal variation of microbial population in a thermophilic biofilter for SO₂ removal

The performance of a biofilter relies on the activity of microorganisms during the gas contaminant treatment process. In this study, SO2 was treated using a laboratory-scale biofilter packed with polyurethane foam cubes (PUFC), on which thermophilic desulfurization bacteria were attached. The thermophilic biofilter effectively reduced SO2 within 10months of operation time, with a maximum elimination capacity of 48.29 g/m(3)/hr. Temporal shifts in the microbial population in the thermophilic biofilter were determined through polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence analysis. The substrate species and environmental conditions in the biofilter influenced the microbial population. Oxygen distribution in the PUFC was analyzed using a microelectrode. When the water-containing rate in PUFC was over 98%, the oxygen distribution presented aerobic-anoxic-aerobic states along the test route on the PUFC. The appearance of sulfate-reducing bacteria was caused by the anaerobic conditions and sulfate formation after 4months of operation.

Micro-environment characteristics and microbial communities in activated sludge flocs of different particle size

Microorganisms in activated sludge flocs (ASF) play important roles in the wastewater treatment process. However, the interplay between micro-environmental variation and microbial responses within ASF is poorly understood. In this study, microelectrodes and molecular culture-independent techniques were applied to detect the internal environment, microbial composition, and distribution in flocs with different particle size. Results showed dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations within the center of the flocs were less than at the surface, and the DO concentration distributions were distinct in flocs of different particle size. With floc particle size increasing from 100 to 250 μm, the DO concentrations in the floc centers decreased 10-55%, respectively, while no distinct change was observed in flocs of less than 100 μm. Similar phenomenon occurred for the distributions of NH(4)(+) and NO(3)(-) in flocs. Microbial structure indicated bacterial compositions and distributions were heterogeneous and responded to micro-environment variation in flocs of different particle size.