scholarly journals Molecular characterization of filamentous bacteria isolated from full-scale activated sludge processes

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Zinhle Marrengane
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Bulk Liquid ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Sludge Flocs ◽  
Activated Sludge Processes

Activated sludge flocs are responsible for flocculation, settling and dewaterability. It is important to maintain the growth off loc-forming bacteria for efficient sludge settleability and compaction for good quality effluent. Filamentous bacteria on the other hand are believed to provide rigid support network or backbone upon which floc-forming bacteria adhere to form stable activated sludge flocs (Wilderer et al., 2002; Ramothokang et al., 2003). Filamentous bacteria can also be detrimental to the process when they outgrow floc-forming bacteria. Morphologically filamentous bacteria are at an advantage as they have higher outward growth velocity and can extend freely to bulk liquid substrate. Proliferation of filamentous bacteria causes foaming and bulking (Martins et al., 2004). Although chemical alleviation measures to circumvent bulking are present, they are symptomatic (Chang et al., 2004). Eikelboom (1975) developed the first identification keys for the classification of filamentous bacteria that is primarily based on morphological characteristics and microscopic examination. Although very useful, this type of identification has its limitations. For instance some filamentous bacteria can change morphology in response to changes in the environment and although some of them can be morphologically similar they may vary considerably in their physiology and taxonomy (Martins et al., 2004). A vast number of filamentous bacteria are still very poorly understood which could be due to the problems of cultivation due to their slow growing nature and maintenance of cultures (Rossetti et al., 2006). This limitation necessitates a molecular approach to resolve the taxonomy of filamentous bacteria as it is a culture-independent technique which is highly accurate. This project was undertaken to verify the identity of pure cultures of filamentous bacteria isolated previously through the application of molecular techniques. The 16S rDNA are conserved regions in bacterial cells and they can be extracted and specific nucleic acid fragments amplified. Denaturation gradient gel electrophoresis enabled the separation of fragments of identical length but different size and served as an indication of purity (Muyzer et al., 1993).

scholarly journals Deep learning-based morphology classification of activated sludge flocs in wastewater treatment plants

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi Satoh ◽  
Yukari Kashimoto ◽  
Naoki Takahashi ◽  
Takashi Tsujimura
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Deep Learning ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Morphological Change ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Sludge Flocs

A deep learning-based two-label classifier 1 recognized a 20% morphological change in the activated flocs. Classifier-2 quantitatively recognized an abundance of filamentous bacteria in activated flocs.

scholarly journals Efficiency of Biological Phosphorus Removal by Filamentous Bacteria

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Machnicka ◽  
Klaudiusz Grübel
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Chemical Precipitation ◽  
Heterogeneous Structure ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Biological Phosphorus Removal ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Sludge Flocs

AbstractPhosphorus removal in wastewater treatment plant is carried out by chemical precipitation, advanced biological treatment or a combination of both. One of the biggest problems with high concentration of phosphorus in water environment is eutrophication. Activated sludge flocs have a heterogeneous structure, which consist of a variety of microorganisms. Filamentous bacteria are normally present in the activated sludge and have ability to assimilation of phosphorus. In this study phosphorus accumulation by isolated filamentous bacteria from activated sludge foam was present.

scholarly journals Determination of the relationship between epiphytes and selected filamentous bacteria in activated sludge

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Thobela Conco
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Cell Interaction ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Microbial Consortia ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Intrinsic Nature ◽  
Structural Support ◽  
Filamentous Cell

Activated sludge (AS) flocs are paramount in biological treatment of wastewater, are comprised of microbial consortia with organic and inorganic material bound together by extra polymeric substances (EPS). The filamentous bacteria play a vital role in the floc formation process by providing the necessary structural support. Presence of epiphytic attachment on selected filamentous bacteria is a commonly occurring phenomenon in activated sludge samples. Different theories have been proposed to describe this phenomenon; however, not much research has been carried out to explore the profundity of the attachment. In this study, an attempt has been made to elucidate the intrinsic nature of the epiphytic attachment between the bacterial rods and filamentous bacteria based on microscopic (morphological and structural) analysis. Characterization of these epiphytes were performed using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) at group level using Alpha, Beta and Gamma Proteo-bacterial probes. Morphological characteristics of filament hosts and the bacterial rods at the interface region was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM micrographs indicated that the attachment was facilitated by more than the EPS layer. Further ultrastructural examination using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated a possible cell-to-cell interaction between epiphytes and the selected filaments. Fibrillar structures resembling amyloid-like proteins were observed within the filament cell targeted by the epiphytes. An interaction was apparent between the amyloid like proteins and the epiphytes as exhibited by the direction of fibrillar structures pointing towards the approaching epiphytes. Common bacterial appendages such as pili and fimbria were absent at the interface and further noted was the presence of cell membrane extensions on the epiphytic bacteria protruding towards the targeted filamentous cell. The sheath of host filaments however, remained intact and unpenetrated, during colonization. Amyloid-like fibrils at interface may potentially play the role of attachment sites for the attaching epiphytes, as attachment facilitating appendages were not visualized.

scholarly journals Amyloid-Like Adhesins Produced by Floc-Forming and Filamentous Bacteria in Activated Sludge

2008 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 1517-1526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poul Larsen ◽  
Jeppe Lund Nielsen ◽  
Daniel Otzen ◽  
Per Halkjær Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Extracellular Polymeric Substances ◽  
Amyloid Fibrils ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Foam Forming

ABSTRACT Amyloid proteins (fimbriae or other microbial surface-associated structures) are expressed by many types of bacteria, not yet identified, in biofilms from various habitats, where they likely are of key importance to biofilm formation and biofilm properties. As these amyloids are potentially of great importance to the floc properties in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), the abundance of amyloid adhesins in activated sludge flocs from different WWTP and the identity of bacteria producing these were investigated. Amyloid adhesins were quantified using a combination of conformationally specific antibodies targeting amyloid fibrils, propidium iodide to target all fixed bacterial cells, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and digital image analysis. The biovolume fraction containing amyloid adhesins ranged from 10 to 40% in activated sludge from 10 different WWTP. The identity of bacteria producing amyloid adhesins was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization with oligonucleotide probes in combination with antibodies or thioflavin T staining. Among the microcolony-forming bacteria, amyloids were primarily detected among Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria. A more detailed analysis revealed that many denitrifiers (from Thauera, Azoarcus, Zoogloea, and Aquaspirillum-related organisms) and Actinobacteria-related polyphosphate-accumulating organisms most likely produced amyloid adhesins, whereas nitrifiers did not. Many filamentous bacteria also expressed amyloid adhesins, including several Alphaproteobacteria (e.g., Meganema perideroedes), some Betaproteobacteria (e.g., Aquaspirillum-related filaments), Gammaproteobacteria (Thiothrix), Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi (e.g., Eikelboom type 1851), and some foam-forming Actinobacteria (e.g., Gordonia amarae). The results show that amyloid adhesins were an abundant component of activated sludge extracellular polymeric substances and seem to have unexpected, divers functions.

Comparison of imidazolium ionic liquids and traditional organic solvents: effect on activated sludge processes

2013 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 2654-2660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Gendaszewska ◽  
Ewa Liwarska-Bizukojc
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Liquids ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Organic Solvents ◽  
Biomass Concentration ◽  
Alkyl Substituent ◽  
Imidazolium Ionic Liquids ◽  
Floc Size ◽  
Sludge Flocs ◽  
Pollutants Removal ◽  
Activated Sludge Processes

Data concerning the biodegradability and ecotoxicity of ionic liquids (ILs) obtained so far are insufficient in the context of IL removal from wastewater in activated sludge systems. Thus, in this work the selected imidazolium ionic liquids and two organic solvents (methanol and acetone) were tested with respect to their influence on activated sludge processes, particularly on the morphology of sludge flocs. The presence of ionic liquids with the chemical structure of 1-alkyl-3-methyl imidazolium bromide in wastewater did not deteriorate biological wastewater treatment processes if their concentration was not higher than 5 mg l−1. Regarding the structure of the ILs studied, the longer the alkyl substituent was, the stronger the effect on sludge flocs. The highest decrease in activated sludge floc area and biomass concentration was exerted by the ionic liquid with the longest alkyl chain, i.e. 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide. The action of both methanol and acetone on floc size, activated sludge concentration and efficiency of organic pollutants removal was weaker compared to all tested 1-alkyl-3-methyl imidazolium bromides.

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