SULFUR OXIDATION-REDUCTION ACTIVITIES AND MICROBIAL COMMUNITY CHANGE IN ACTIVATED SLUDGE

Abstract

Sulfur oxidation and sulfate reduction activities in the activated sludges of six municipal weastwater treatment plants were investigated. A high correlations were recognized between sulfate reduction and sulfur oxidation activities. When the concentrations of acetate and propionate in influent of aeration tank were high, both activities of sulfate reduction and sulfur oxidation were high. The microorganisms community change was analyzed using two activated sludges in which the growth of filamentous bacteria was observed. It was a tendency that when Desulfonema spp. grew in the flocs, the filament length of Thiothrix eikelboomii increasd.