Full-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for domestic wastewater: Performance and diversity of microbial communities

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2013-03, Vol.132, p.262-268
• Main Authors: Fernandes, Heloísa, Jungles, Mariele K., Hoffmann, Heike, Antonio, Regina V., Costa, Rejane H.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bacteria; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - metabolism; Bacteria - ultrastructure; Biodiversity; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; Biomass; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; Brazil; Decentralized system; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis; DNA, Ribosomal - genetics; Domestic; Electrophoresis; Euglypha; Exact sciences and technology; Flocculation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Microbial diversity; Microorganisms; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Nitrobacter; Nitrosomonas; Nitrospira; Oxygen demand; Phosphorus - metabolism; Pollution; Reactors; Sequencing; Sequencing batch reactor; Species Specificity; Various methods and equipments; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Waste water; Wastewater; Wastewaters; Water Purification - methods; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.01.027

► Real operational conditions (low dissolved oxygen) of a full-scale SBR. ► Characterization of microbial diversity in a full-scale SBR to improve operational conditions by molecular techniques. ► The greater activity found by DPAO microorganism (DPAO/PAO was 70%) not necessarily leads to phosphorous removal. This work describes the performance and microbial diversity in a sequencing batch reactor of a decentralized full-scale system for urban wastewater treatment under limited aeration. The removal efficiency was: 83% for soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), 60% for N–NH4+, 70% for total suspended solids (TSS) and 80% for volatile suspended solids (VSS). The biomass concentration had a maximum value around 8.7gVSSL−1 for organic load rate of 0.6gCODL−1d−1. The food/microorganism ratios showed average of 0.2gCOD/gVSSd. The sludge bacterial flocs were formed an irregular arrangement with organisms attached such as Euglypha sp. and pedunculate ciliates. It was observed the presence of Bacteria domains including Nitrosomonas spp., Nitrobacter spp., Nitrospira and C. “Accumulibacter” cluster. The DPAO activity was 70%. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis showed changes in ribotype number over biological treatment time among the groups observed being some are linked to nutrient removal. The reactor showed viability to treat domestic wastewater.