Comparison of the dynamics, biokinetics and microbial diversity between activated sludge flocs and aerobic granular sludge

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2019-12, Vol.294, p.122106-122106, Article 122106
• Main Authors: Rollemberg, Silvio Luiz de Sousa, Barros, Amanda Nascimento de, Lira, Vitor Nairo Sousa Aguiar, Firmino, Paulo Igor Milen, dos Santos, André Bezerra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated sludge floc; Aerobic granular sludge; Kinetic parameters; Microbial diversity
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122106

•Differences between aerobic granular sludge and activated sludge floc were studied.•The dynamics, biokinetics, and microbial diversity were evaluated.•The biomasses presented differences in the kinetic parameters.•The activated sludge floc presented higher yield coefficients (Y).•The aerobic granular sludge presented greater microbial diversity. This work aimed to compare the dynamics, biokinetics, and microbial diversity between activated sludge flocs (ASF) and aerobic granular sludge (AGS) whose systems were operated under similar experimental conditions in terms of inoculum, feeding, substrate source, etc. Therefore, the kinetic parameters involved in the organic matter removal, nitrification, denitrification, and dephosphatation were determined, as well as the microbial changes were assessed by metagenomics analysis. Regarding the kinetic parameter yield coefficient (Y), values of 0.55 and 0.36 g VSS/g COD were found for ASF and AGS, respectively, showing a higher sludge production in ASF and the importance of feast/famine periods for lowering sludge production in AGS systems. AGS presented a lower sludge production and a higher endogenous consumption rate than ASF. The activity of phosphorus-accumulating bacteria was remarkably higher in AGS. Although both biomasses were aerobic, their kinetic parameters had significant differences.