Assessment of plausible bioindicators for plant performance in advanced wastewater treatment systems

Abstract:The important factors that strongly influence the particle size distributions measured by the laser diffraction method are the optical parameters of the suspension (refractive index and absorption coefficient). Knowledge of the values of these parameters is necessary for Mie theory. Mie theory is applied for conversion of the intensity of light recorded on detectors into particle size distribution (PSD) of tested material. Both wastewater and activated sludge are mixtures of a variety of elements (mineral or organic, including living organisms). In practice, it is not possible to define clearly the values of the optical parameters, as the composition of the suspension changes over time. The aim of the study was to estimate the impact of assumed values of the optical parameters on particle size distributions obtained. The PSDs of suspensions sampled in different stages of wastewater treatment are the most reproducible when the following optical parameters are defined: absorption coefficients -1.0 and the refractive index -1.52.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of optical indices on particle size distribution of activated sludge measured by laser diffraction method

Sochan

Polakowski

Łagód

2014

“…Some studies showed the dependence between flagellates (specifically bodonids), small amoebas and high level of nitrification. The same dependence with ciliates is still not proved [42]. Our researches also showed that there is no correlation between changes in concentration of nitrogen compounds and changes in quantity of most registered protozoa species.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…In turn, various factors, interacting with each other in bioreactors, are able to considerably affect the structure of microflora, protozoa, and other hydrobionts [39,40]. The changes in activated sludge organisms structure can significantly impact the N-removal efficiency [41,42].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Composition and Abundance of Protozoa Under Different Concentration Of Nitrogen Compounds at “Hajdow” Wastewater Treatment Plant / Zbiorowiska Pierwotniaków I Ich Liczebność W Oczyszczalni Ścieków „Hajdów” Przy Różnych Stężeniach Związków Azotu

Jaromin-Gleń¹,

Babko²,

Łagód³

et al. 2013

Abstract:The protists notably ciliates and testate amoebas in the conditions of modernized wastewater treatment plants "Hajdow" (Lublin, Poland) and the nitrogen removal efficiency were studied. Sampling took place every week during the period of August-September 2010. The total of 31 taxa of ciliates and 3 taxa of testate amoebas were identified. Most of the species were registered during the whole research period. Significant abundance reached the following species: Acineria uncinata, Aspidisca cicada, Aspidisca lynceus, Vorticella aquadulcis, Vorticella infusionum, Arcella vulgaris, Euglypha acanthophora and Pyxidicula operculata. In September increase in efficiency of nitrogen removal process was registered. The research shows that the increase of nitrogen reduction efficiency was accompanied by increase of ciliates quantity, mainly due to peritrichid ciliates.

“…Table 3 Frequency of occurrence and abundance of protozoa and small metazoa during the study; n -number of samples; ± -standard deviation; P -probability of H0 (series 1 -wastewater treatment, series 2 -wastewater with flowback water treatment) Observed microfauna consisted of taxa belonging to positive keygroups [11]. The predominance of shelled amoeba, crawling ciliates and attached ciliates with wide peristomes and the fact that tardigrades and rotifers were commonly found both indicated a healthy, low-loaded, sufficiently aerated and well-flocculated activated sludge that would produce high quality effluent [21][22][23][24][25][26]. The sludge biotic index (SBI), calculated on the basis of the microfauna composition in samples, was always the highest value possible (10/10).…”

Section: Microfauna Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Flowback Water on Activated Sludge Biocenosis During Municipal Wastewater Treatment

Ziembińska-Buczyńska

Drzewicki

Kulikowska

2015

Abstract:The aim of this study was to determine the effect of flowback water on an activated sludge biocenosis during municipal wastewater treatment in the sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). Two series were performed. In series 1, only municipal wastewater was treated, whereas in series 2, municipal wastewater with pre-treated flowback water was used. Flowback water constituted 3-5% of the influent and was introduced to the SBRs twice per week. Introducing flowback water did not decrease the quality of effluent from the SBRs. However, the composition of the activated sludge biocenosis differed between series, ie the biodiversity of protozoa and the relative abundance of microfauna in functional groups changed after flowback water addition. Polymerase chain reaction -denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) showed that the ammonia oxidizers community responded faster to flowback water addition than the total bacterial community and remained relatively stable during treatment. However, after 9 weeks of exposure to flowback water, ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) biodiversity decreased. This suggests that prolonged exposure could cause nitrification problems, leading to deterioration in effluent quality.