SGER: Carbon Transformations in the Aerobic Sequence of the Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Process

Colorado School Of Mines, Golden CO

Investigators

Abstract

0122264 Figueroa The objective of this research is to develop an improved biological process for the treatment of wastewater with high phosphorus content. This research focuses on improved understanding of the aerobic sequence of the enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process by investigating aerobic metabolism as it relates to generating storage and growth products from poly-b-hydroxybutyrate. The specific tasks of this research are: (1) to establish and operate a pilot-scale sequencing batch reactor to achieve phosphorus removal via a stable, enriched community of phosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs), (2) to complete a series of batch reactor radioactive carbon tracer studies involving isolation of intracellular components for PAOs during the anaerobic/aerobic EBPR process cycle, (3) to perform mass balances on individual samples from the tracer studies, and (4) to test the applicability of a proposed metabolic mechanism involved in the EBPR process. ***