The effects of organic carbon, ammoniacal-nitrogen, and oxygen partial pressure on the stratification of membrane-aerated biofilms
- 15 November 2005
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology
- Vol. 33 (4), 315-323
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-005-0052-5
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different nutrient (carbon, nitrogen, oxygen) concentrations on the microbial activity and community structure in membrane-aerated biofilms (MABs). MABs were grown under well-defined conditions of fluid flow, substrate concentration, and membrane oxygen partial pressure. Biofilms were then removed and thin-sliced using a cryostat/microtome parallel to the membrane. Individual slices were analyzed for changes with depth in biomass density, respiratory activity, and the population densities of ammonia-oxidizing and denitrifying bacteria populations. Oxygen-sensing microelectrodes were used to determine the depth of oxygen penetration into each biofilm. Our results demonstrated that ammonia-oxidizing bacteria grow near the membrane, while denitrifying bacteria grow a substantial distance from the membrane. However, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria did not grow simultaneously when organic concentrations became too high or ammonia concentrations became too low. In conclusion, membrane-aerated biofilms exhibit substantial stratification with respect to community structure and activity. A fundamental understanding of the factors that control this stratification will help optimize the performance of full-scale membrane-aerated biofilm reactors for wastewater treatment.Keywords
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Novel application of oxygen‐transferring membranes to improve anaerobic wastewater treatmentBiotechnology & Bioengineering, 2005
- Stratification of Activity and Bacterial Community Structure in Biofilms Grown on Membranes Transferring OxygenApplied and Environmental Microbiology, 2004
- Nitrogen removal characteristics and biofilm analysis of a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor applicable to high-strength nitrogenous wastewater treatmentJournal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 2003
- Quantification of Nitrosomonas oligotropha -Like Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria and Nitrospira spp. from Full-Scale Wastewater Treatment Plants by Competitive PCRApplied and Environmental Microbiology, 2002
- Mechanisms of INT (2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium chloride), and CTC (5-cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride) reduction in Escherichia coli K-12Journal of Microbiological Methods, 1997
- Effects of substrates and phosphate on INT (2‐(4‐iodophenyl)‐3‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐5‐phenyl tetrazolium chloride) and CTC (5‐cyano‐2,3‐ditolyl tetrazolium chloride) reduction in Escherichia coliJournal of Applied Bacteriology, 1996
- Hollow fibre bioreactor for wastewater treatment using bubbleless membrane aerationWater Research, 1994
- Aerobic biological treatment. Water treatment processesEnvironmental Science & Technology, 1987
- Storage-induced denitrification using sequencing batch reactor operationWater Research, 1980
- Biological nutrient removal without the addition of chemicalsWater Research, 1975