Media surface properties and the development of nitrifying biofilms in mixed cultures for wastewater treatment

► Eight plastics supported nitrifying biofilms in wastewater. ► Nitrification did not correlate with surface roughness nor biomass concentration. ► Nitrification was inversely proportional to adhesion force with heterotrophs present. Plastic was tested to select biofilm support media that would enha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Process safety and environmental protection 2013-07, Vol.91 (4), p.321-324
Main Authors: Stephenson, T., Reid, E., Avery, L.M., Jefferson, B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atomic force microscopy
Biofilms
Correlation analysis
Media
Nitrification
Plastic media
Polytetrafluoroethylenes
Receiving
Waste water
Wastewater treatment
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Summary:► Eight plastics supported nitrifying biofilms in wastewater. ► Nitrification did not correlate with surface roughness nor biomass concentration. ► Nitrification was inversely proportional to adhesion force with heterotrophs present. Plastic was tested to select biofilm support media that would enhance nitrification in the presence of heterotrophs. Eight different types (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nylon, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl chloride and tufnol) were immersed in an aerobic fed-batch reactor receiving domestic settled wastewater. Nitrification rates did not correlate with biomass concentrations, nor surface roughness of the plastics as measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The maximum nitrification rate of 1.5g/m2d−1 was obtained from biofilms growing on PTFE which had the lowest surface adhesion force (8nN). Nitrification rates for the biofilms were inversely correlated with the attraction forces as measured by AFM.
ISSN:0957-5820
1744-3598
DOI:10.1016/j.psep.2012.07.002