Conditions favoring proliferation of glycogen accumulating organisms for excess biological carbon removal in treating nutrient deficient wastewater

Abstract

Impact of marginal availability and severe deficiency of nitrogen on the growth of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) and performance of anaerobic/aerobic activated sludge systems treating nutrient deficient wastewater was investigated at marginal availability and severe deficiency of phosphorus. Two continuous-flow lab-scale systems were operated simultaneously fed by model winery wastewater, one with marginal availability and the other one at severe deficiency of nitrogen. In the second experimental stage, marginal availability of P was converted into severe deficiency by interrupting external dosing. Common practice of dosing N- and P-sources to marginal availability caused enhanced proliferation of filamentous bacteria leading to poor biomass settling and instable operation. At marginal N-availability accumulation of GAOs started when conditions became deficient for phosphorus. In severe lack of nitrogen GAOs overgrew filaments, and outcompeted phosphorous accumulating organisms (PAOs) initially present in the seed. Stable and good performance could be maintained even after withdrawal of phosphorous dosing.