Spatial distribution of microorganisms and measurements of oxygen uptake rate and ammonia uptake rate activity in a drinking water biofilter

Environmental Technology
P MadoniF Rossi

Abstract

The biofilm characteristics (population dynamics and biofilm composition) in a biological filter for the removal of iron, manganese and ammonium were studied in a drinking water treatment plant. The objective was to examine the spatial distribution and biological composition of active biomass that grows in a biological filter and to verify the effect of the backwashing on the quantity of fixed biomass and on the density and activity of the biological population. Heterotrophic microorganisms activity was higher in the upper layer of the filter. Nitrifying microorganisms colonized the biofilter in a stratified manner and their activity was higher in the second layer of the filter. A total of 14 species of ciliated protozoa and 7 species of filamentous microorganisms were found in the biofilters. Ciliates were concentrated in the filterbed layer in which the heterotrophic activity was higher. The grazing activity of ciliates on heterotrophic bacteria reduced the competition pressure on nitrifying microorganisms, supporting their growth and thus raising the ammonium removal efficiency. In general, filamentous microorganisms appeared to be indifferent to operating changes in the plant such as backwashing and filtering cycles. Crenot...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 18, 2004·Water Research·A Grabińska-LoniewskaT Korniłowicz-Kowalska
Jul 20, 2002·Journal of Biotechnology·R Grommen, W Verstraete
Jul 9, 2010·Journal of Environmental Sciences (China)·Xiaowei LiQing Wang
Apr 15, 2008·Water Research·David R Simpson
Jul 30, 2004·Journal of Applied Microbiology·A-M BomoA Frostegård

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