A review of physical relationships between form and function in wastewater biotreatment and a new theory relating activated sludge and biofilm systems behaviour. (8th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Palmer, Stephen; Noone, Gerald; Hoyland, Garry
• Is Part Of: Water and environment journal. Volume 35:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 148
• Page End: 157
• Publication Date: 2020-07-08
• Subjects: evolutionary role of EPS -- new hypothesis for activated sludge bulking -- thermodynamic systems analysis of biotreatment; Sewage -- Periodicals; Water-supply -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Water-supply engineering -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; 628.1
• DOI: 10.1111/wej.12614
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-6585

Abstract

Abstract: In this review paper, a physical systems analysis based on thermodynamics has been applied to the observed behaviour of activated sludge as a physical system. The origin of the microecology of activated sludge and its relationship to biofilms and the metabolic consequences of the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) formation are explained for the first time. Feast‐famine conditions are shown to be the leading candidate for the evolution of the ability of biofilm forming bacteria and activated sludge 'floc‐formers' to form EPS. The basis for competition for RBCOD between low F:M filamentous heterotrophic bacteria and 'floc‐forming' heterotrophic is presented and its relationship to activated sludge bulking described.