The effect of an initial anaerobic zone on the kinetics and stoichiometry of acetate removal during nutrient-limiting conditions

Abstract

I studied the stoichiometry and kinetics of acetate removal on anaerobic / aerobic (AnA) and completely aerobic (CA) sequencing batch reactors under nutrient-limiting conditions. CA acetate removal rates were 20 to 40% higher than AnA acetate removal rates when both nitrogen and phosphorus (P) were sufficient. When P was deficient, the acetate removal rate of both sludges was 0.8 mg acetic acid/g VSS/min. Anaerobic stoichiometry indicated that polyphosphate-accumulating organisms were present at a lowlevel, and that glycogen-accumulating organisms were dominant. I also found that the AnA sludge synthesised 2 to 5 times more polyhydroxybutyrate-C than the CA sludge.


WaterSA Vol.29(4) 2003: 443-450