Group-specific small-subunit rRNA hybridization probes to characterize filamentous foaming in activated sludge systems.

Previous studies have shown the predominance of mycolic acid-containing filamentous actinomycetes (mycolata) in foam layers in activated sludge systems. Gordona (formerlyNocardia) amarae often is considered the major representative of this group in activated sludge foam. In this study, small-subunit rRNA genes of four G. amarae strains were sequenced, and the resulting sequences were compared to the sequence ofG. amarae type strain SE-6. Comparative sequence analysis showed that the five strains used represent two lines of evolutionary descent; group 1 consists of strains NM23 and ASAC1, and group 2 contains strains SE-6, SE-102, and ASF3. The following three oligonucleotide probes were designed: a species-specific probe forG. amarae, a probe specific for group 1, and a probe targeting group 2. The probes were characterized by dissociation temperature and specificity studies, and the species-specific probe was evaluated for use in fluorescent in situ hybridizations. By using the group-specific probes, it was possible to place additional G. amarae isolates in their respective groups. The probes were used along with previously designed probes in membrane hybridizations to determine the abundance of G. amarae, group 1, group 2, bacterial, mycolata, and Gordona rRNAs in samples obtained from foaming activated sludge systems in California, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The target groups were present in significantly greater concentrations in activated sludge foam than in mixed liquor and persisted in anaerobic digesters. Hybridization results indicated that the presence of certain G. amarae strains may be regional or treatment plant specific and that previously uncharacterizedG. amarae strains may be present in some systems.

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Identification and quantification of Gordona amarae strains in activated sludge systems using comparative rRNA sequence analysis and phylogenetic hybridization probes

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1998.0710 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 37 (4-5) ◽

pp. 521-525 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ma. Fiorella de los Reyes ◽

Francis L. de los Reyes ◽

Mark Hernandez ◽

Lutgarde Raskin

Keyword(s):

Sequence Analysis ◽

Activated Sludge ◽

Comparative Sequence Analysis ◽

Small Subunit ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Ribosomal Database Project ◽

Group 2 ◽

Species Specific ◽

Activated Sludge Systems ◽

Group 1

Small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes of four Gordona (Nocardia) amarae strains were sequenced and compared to the sequence of the G. amarae type strain obtained from the Ribosomal Database Project (RDP). Comparative sequence analysis showed that the five strains represent two lines of evolutionary descent: Group 1 consists of strains NM23 and ASAC1 and Group 2 contains strains SE-6, SE102, and ASF3. To determine the abundance of G. amarae in activated sludge systems, we designed three oligonucleotide probes: a species-specific probe for G. amarae, a probe specific for Group 1 and a probe targeting Group 2. The probes were characterized by performing dissociation temperature and specificity studies. Using these probes, two other strains, strains SE-149B and RBI, also were found to be part of Group 1. We used these probes along with previously designed probes in membrane hybridizations to determine the abundance of G. amarae, Group 1, Group 2, Bacteria, Mycobacterium complex, and Gordona in samples from foaming episodes. We demonstrated that the Mycobacterium complex, the genus Gordona, and G. amarae strains were present in significantly greater concentrations in activated sludge foam than in mixed liquor.

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Characterization of filamentous foaming in activated sludge systems using oligonucleotide hybridization probes and antibody probes

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1998.0702 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 37 (4-5) ◽

pp. 485-493 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Francis L. de los Reyes ◽

Daniel B. Oerther ◽

Ma. Fiorella de los Reyes ◽

Mark Hernandez ◽

Lutgarde Raskin

Keyword(s):

Activated Sludge ◽

Oligonucleotide Probes ◽

Mixed Liquor ◽

Antibody Staining ◽

Hybridization Probes ◽

Oligonucleotide Hybridization ◽

Pure Cultures ◽

In Situ Hybridizations ◽

Filamentous Foaming

A quantitative method was developed for estimating Gordona mass in activated sludge foam and mixed liquor samples. The technique involves in situ hybridization with a genus-specific fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probe calibrated on pure cultures of Gordona. The immunofluorescent technique of Hernandez et al. was modified to allow staining with fluorescently labeled antibody and hybridization probes. The results of this technique were compared to those from membrane hybridization studies using radioactively-labeled oligonucleotide probes. Quantitative membrane hybridizations, in situ hybridizations, and antibody staining resulted in significantly different levels of Gordona in activated sludge foam, activated sludge mixed liquor, return activated sludge, and anaerobic digester sludge. Simultaneous staining with labeled antibodies and oligonucleotide probes provide a definitive identification for Gordona, and represents a new approach for in situ studies of this organism's role in foaming.

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Biodegradation of selected organic nitrogen compounds in activated sludge systems

10.32469/10355/8128 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Jia Guo

Keyword(s):

Activated Sludge ◽

Organic Nitrogen ◽

Nitrogen Compounds ◽

Activated Sludge Systems

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of In situ accessibility of small-subunit rRNA of members of the domains Bacteria, Archaea, and Eucarya to Cy3-labeled oligonucleotide probes.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1012830.187355 ◽

2003 ◽

Author(s):

Gerard Muyzer

Keyword(s):

Small Subunit ◽

Oligonucleotide Probes ◽

Small Subunit Rrna

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The Effect of Metallic and Ionic Species on the Performance of a Biological Effluent Treatment System

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.1977.013 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 191-212

Author(s):

B. Volesky ◽

Q. Samak ◽

P. Waller

Keyword(s):

Activated Sludge ◽

Inorganic Ions ◽

Industrial Effluents ◽

Original Data ◽

Ionic Species ◽

Threshold Concentration ◽

Effluent Treatment ◽

Organic Load ◽

Metallic Ions ◽

Activated Sludge Systems

Abstract Review of the available results appearing in the recent literature is presented focusing particularly upon the effects of metallic ions such as Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, V, Zn, Ni and Co. Some original data involving the effects of Na are presented and discussed. Development of parameters used in evaluating the influence of toxic or inhibitory species on the mixed microbial population of an activated sludge system is of crucial importance and different techniques employed such as BOD-COD-TOC-removal rates, Oxygen Uptake Rate, and others are discussed, showing relative inadequacy of currently applied assays. From the data available, certain trends can be discerned. There is a definite threshold concentration for each metallic ion, depending on the organic load of the feed. In the order of increasing toxicity to activated sludge systems reflected in lower BOD removals the following metals have been listed as inhibiting factors at concentrations starting from 1 ppm applied on a continuous basis: hexavalent chromium, cobalt, zinc, cadmium, trivalent chromium, copper and nickel. Metals in combination have not been reported to exhibit any significantly different effects as compared to those observed with individually introduced metallic ions. Tolerance of some activated sludge systems to shock loadings by various inorganic ions and metals is reviewed. The conclusions are of particular importance for estimating the performance of biox systems handling industrial effluents which are likely to contain toxic components of inorganic or metallic nature.

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On the Problem of “Two-Phase” Activated Sludge

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1991.0185 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 24 (7) ◽

pp. 59-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

R. W. Szetela

Keyword(s):

Activated Sludge ◽

Single Phase ◽

Phase System ◽

Two Phase ◽

Wastewater Treatment Process ◽

Sludge Stabilization ◽

Technological Advantage ◽

In Series ◽

State Models ◽

Activated Sludge Systems

Steady-state models are presented to describe the wastewater treatment process in two activated sludge systems. One of these makes use of a single complete-mix reactor; the other one involves two complete-mix reactors arranged in series. The in-series system is equivalent to what is known as the “two-phase” activated sludge, a concept which is now being launched throughout Poland in conjunction with the PROMLECZ technology under implementation. Analysis of the mathematical models has revealed the following: (1) treatment efficiency, excess sludge production, energy consumption, and the degree of sludge stabilization are identical in the two systems; (2) there exists a technological equivalence of “two-phase” sludge with “single-phase” sludge; (3) the “two-phase” system has no technological advantage over the “single-phase” system.

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