TECHNICAL PAPERS
Oct 1, 2007

Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Performance and Microbial Population Changes at High Organic Loading Rates

Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 133, Issue 10

Abstract

A laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor was operated and the dynamics of Rhodocyclus-related phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs) population was monitored. After the system reached a steady state and showed a stable enhanced biological phosphorus removal status, the organic loading rate was increased from 160 to 1,020gCODm3cycle1 in five steps. When the P storage capacity reached maximum at 330gCODm3cycle1 , the system lost the stability and the effluent phosphorus concentration fluctuated. As the organic loading rate increased from 160 to 1,020gCODm3cycle1 , the PAO population decreased from 83.8±4.9 to 32.2±16.2 % and internal polyphosphate content decreased from 0.20 to 0.03mgPmgVSS1 . Phosphate-accumulating metabolism was weakened as the organic loading rate increased and PAO population decreased concomitantly, whereas glycogen-accumulating metabolism increased at high organic loading rates as supported by the increased intracellular glycogen content and production of a higher fraction of intracellular poly- β -hydroxyl valerate.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the nine dairies in Wisconsin through Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) (Agreement No. UW0202). The writers wish to thank Dr. Jenchie Wang and George F. Wells for their kind discussion of the manuscript.

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Published In

Go to Journal of Environmental Engineering
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 133Issue 10October 2007
Pages: 962 - 969

History

Received: Oct 5, 2006
Accepted: Apr 16, 2007
Published online: Oct 1, 2007
Published in print: Oct 2007

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Authors

Affiliations

Chang Hoon Ahn
Research Associate, Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ 85287-5701. E-mail: [email protected]
Hee-Deung Park
Senior Engineering Manager, Kolon Engineering and Construction, 199-5 Jeondae-Ri, Pogok-Eup, Cheoin-Gu, Yongin-Si, Gyeonggi, 449-815, Korea. E-mail: [email protected]
Jae Kwang Park
Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin, 3230 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI 53706-1691 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]

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