ISSN:
1747-6593
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
Notes:
Filamentous bulking sludge is the most difficult problem encountered in the operation of activated-sludge plants. A number of reasons have been cited as the cause of the problem, but none explains why slow-growing filamentous micro-organisms predominate over faster-growing flocculent microbes. Competition or inhibition are suggested as possible reasons why filamentous forms predominate.The paper briefly reviews certain aspects of microbial growth and waste treatment, drawing attention to the fact that, while it is known that nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients must be present, equally other essential substances must be present, including a number of trace metals. The theory is proposed that where trace metals are limiting growth, the filamentous micro-organisms predominate because they are more competitive in adsorbing and absorbing these scarce materials. This is so because the filaments have a higher surface to volume ratio than the flocculent forms. The roles of metals are briefly discussed, and data are presented on the composition of cells. The theory is used to explain some of the reported causes of bulking, and the results of several full-scale field trials are presented.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-6593.1991.tb00623.x
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