Affiliation:
1. a Workplace Health Promotion Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2. b Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Abstract
In this study, four identical laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were continuously operated with different concentrations of microbeads (MBs) (5,000–15,000 MBs/L) to investigate the stress-responses of activated sludge under the MB exposure. It was found that the overall treatment performance (organic removal) of SBRs was fairly affected by short-term exposure to low levels of MBs; however, it was adversely affected as the concentration of MBs increased. The average concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids and heterotrophic bacteria in the reactor fed with 15,000 MBs/L were 16 and 30% less than in the pristine control reactor, respectively. Batch experiments further demonstrated that fairly low concentrations of MBs favored the development of dense microbial structures. Further increasing the MB concentrations to 15,000 MBs/L, however, distinctly weakened the settling performance of sludge. Morphological observations revealed suppressed uniformity, strength, and integrity of flocs reactors with the addition of MBs. Microbial community analyses revealed that the abundance of protozoan species declined 37.5, 58, and 64%, respectively, when SBRs were exposed to 5,000; 10,000; and 15,000 MBs/L as compared with the control reactor. The present work provided new insight into the possible effects of MBs on the performances and operational parameters of activated sludge.
Funder
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
Subject
Water Science and Technology,Environmental Engineering
Cited by
2 articles.
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