Treatment of High-Salinity Wastewater Using Activated Sludge Adapted by Salinity and Analysis of Bacterial Flora

Abstract

Although salt-containing wastewater affects capacity of activated sludge，it is believed that organic matter can be treated by adapting adequately with salt．In this study，we used activated sludge to treat high-concentration salt-containing wastewater using activated sludge and analyzed its bacterial flora. The results showed that activated sludge adapted to a salinity of 3% over a certain period had a higher treatment capacity than activated sludge that had not been acclimated and had an organic matter removal capacity equivalent to that of 0% salinity．Comparison of the bacterial flora of activated sludge with 3% salinity and activated sludge with no added salt confirmed bacteria that may be able to treat wastewater even in a high-salinity environment．