Biofilm dynamics studied with microsensors and molecular techniques

Here we present preliminary data on the development of a biofilm from a wastewater treatment plant studied with microsensors and molecular techniques. The development during biofilm growth of oxygen, sulfide and pH profiles was measured with microsensors. Anoxic zones developed within one week and f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water science and technology 1998, Vol.37 (4-5), p.125-129
Main Authors: Santegoeds, Cecilia M., Muyzer, Gerard, de Beer, Dirk
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activated sludge
Activated sludge process
Analytical methods
Anoxia
Bacteria
bacterial biofilm
Biofilms
Communities
Denitrification
DGGE
DNA
Dynamics
Fragments
Gel electrophoresis
Gels
Growth kinetics
Microbiological strains
Microsensors
Nitrates
Nucleic acids
Nucleotide sequence
Oxygen
Oxygen sensors
PCR
pH effects
pH sensors
population dynamics
Profiles
Ribonucleic acid
RNA
rRNA 16S
Sewage treatment plants
sulfate reduction
Sulfides
Sulphides
Wastewater
Wastewater treatment
Wastewater treatment plants
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Summary:Here we present preliminary data on the development of a biofilm from a wastewater treatment plant studied with microsensors and molecular techniques. The development during biofilm growth of oxygen, sulfide and pH profiles was measured with microsensors. Anoxic zones developed within one week and further increased during the following weeks. However, sulfide production was delayed and was first detected in a six-week-old biofilm. With denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified 165 rRNA gene fragments the sequence of the bacterial community was followed showing an increasing complexity of the biofilm community during development. In a mature biofilm the influence of nitrate on sulfide production was studied by measuring oxygen, sulfide, pH, nitrite and nitrate profiles with microsensors. Sulfide production was detected deeper in the biofilm and in lower concentrations, when nitrate was added to the medium. The DGGE pattern of the mature biofilm showed both differences and similarities with the DGGE pattern of the 12-week-old biofilm. In particular the RNA pattern changed when nitrate was added to the medium, indicating a change in activity of certain strains.
ISSN:0273-1223
1996-9732
DOI:10.1016/S0273-1223(98)00094-8