Use of iron salts for control of activated sludge bulking caused by sphaerotilus

Pfeffer, John T.; Chang, Yueh

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90292 Copy

Description

Title

Use of iron salts for control of activated sludge bulking caused by sphaerotilus

Author(s)

• Pfeffer, John T.
• Chang, Yueh

Contributor(s)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Issue Date

1977-07

Keyword(s)

• Water resource development--Illinois
• Water resources development
• Wastewater
• Waste water
• Activated sludge
• Sludge bulking
• Sphaerotilus inhibition
• Sewage treatment

Geographic Coverage

Illinois (state)

Abstract

A continuing operational problem encountered in the activated sludge system is sludge bulking. While there are several causative agents for this bulking, the filamentous bacterium Sphaerotilus is one of the more common. Control of the growth of this organism will help to eliminate sludge bulking as an operating problem in many activated sludge systems. Iron has been identified in the literature as a possible inhibitor to the growth of this bacterium. However, little is known about the mechanism of this inhibition. This study has shown that the adsorption of iron on Sphaerotilus is the major inhibitory mechanism. The layer of iron on the organism appears to block the transport of nutrients through the sheath and cell wall and hence inhibit the growth of this organism. The effectiveness of the iron compounds in this inhibition corresponds to the physical characteristics of the absorbed iron. Soluble iron complexes form a uniform layer so that the inhibitory effect is proportional to the iron adsorbed. Among the soluble complexes, the ferrous forms are more effective. These forms can penetrate the sheath and deposit on or near the cell wall resulting in greater inhibition. On the other hand, the ferric complexes are deposited on or in the sheath of the organism.

Publisher

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Water Resources Center

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90292

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

• U.S. Department of the Interior
• U.S. Geological Survey

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 1977 held by John T. Pfeffer, Yueh Chang

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