Multiscale Investigation Of A Symbiotic Microalgal-Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (Maifas) Process For Nutrient Removal And Photo-Oxygenation

Keywords

Biofilm; Integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS); Microalgae; Microelectrodes; Photo-aeration

Abstract

The Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) process is an advanced biological wastewater treatment process that integrates biofilm carriers within conventional activated sludge to uncouple the sludge retention time for nitrifiers and heterotrophic bacteria. In this study, we incorporated microalgae into the IFAS configuration for photo-oxygenation and evaluated the symbiotic reaction between microalgae and bacteria for both suspended solids and IFAS biofilm media. In a sequencing batch mode, the microalgae-IFAS system removed more than 99% ammonia and 51% phosphorous without the need for mechanical aeration. Biofilm microprofiles revealed localized photo-oxygenation by the algal biofilm and nitrification by nitrifiers on the IFAS media. Genetic sequencing showed that the addition of microalgae to the IFAS system promoted significant changes in the bacterial community structure and altered metabolic activity of several bacterial groups. Overall, this research represents a novel strategy for reducing energy consumption while meeting stringent effluent standards using a hybrid symbiotic microalgae-IFAS technology.

Publication Date

11-1-2018

Publication Title

Bioresource Technology

Volume

268

Number of Pages

128-138

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.07.123

Socpus ID

85050824486 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85050824486

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