Biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal by filamentous bacteria in pure culture

Abstract

The availability of excess nutrients (phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N)) in wastewater systems causes many water quality problems. These problems include eutrophication whereby algae grow excessively and lead to depletion of oxygen, death of the aquatic life and bad odours. Biological phosphorus removal has gained attention because the condition of wastewater is manipulated in order to facilitate nutrient removal by the microbial communities in the wastewater. It has been reported that filamentous bacteria are capable of removing Pat a similar or higher rate to that of heterotrophic bacteria. It has also been reported that conditions that facilitate biological nitrogen removal promote bulking in a biological nutrient removal system. The aim of the project was therefore to evaluate the role of filamentous bacteria in biological nutrient removal (BNR) proc esses. For denitrification this was achieved by performing the nitrate reduction preliminary screening test followed by batch tests. Neisser staining was used to locate polyphosphate granules in cells.

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