Premium
EBPR Using Crude Glycerol: Assessing Process Resiliency and Exploring Metabolic Anomalies
Author(s) -
Coats Erik R.,
Dobroth Zachary T.,
Brinkman Cynthia K.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
water environment research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.356
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1554-7531
pISSN - 1061-4303
DOI - 10.2175/106143014x14062131179113
Subject(s) - enhanced biological phosphorus removal , phosphorus , glycerol , pulp and paper industry , anaerobic exercise , chemistry , nutrient , betaproteobacteria , bacteria , environmental chemistry , waste management , wastewater , biology , environmental science , biochemistry , activated sludge , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , physiology , genetics , engineering , 16s ribosomal rna , actinobacteria , gene
Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is predicated on exposing bacteria to cyclical anaerobic/aerobic environments while providing volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Combined, this environment enriches for phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) and induces metabolisms to ensure excess phosphorus removal. Crude glycerol (CG), a byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing, is an alternate waste stream that could be substituted to achieve excess phosphorus removal; research into the use of CG yielded unexpected findings. While CG was an excellent substrate to accomplish and/or help achieve excess phosphorus removal, CG‐fed bacteria did not consistently exhibit theoretical EBPR metabolisms. Specifically, anaerobic phosphorus release was not required for successful EBPR; however, carbon cycling patterns were consistent with theory. Analysis of results suggests that PAOs will first leverage carbon to generate energy anaerobically; only as needed will the bacteria utilize polyphosphate reserves anaerobically. Results also demonstrated that excess phosphorus removal can be achieved with a small fraction of PAOs.