Enrichment and characterization of a psychrophilic ‘Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis’ culture
W. D. Tian (TU Delft - Applied Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology )
C. Ma (Tianjin Polytechnic University, University of Connecticut)
Y. M. Lin (TU Delft - Applied Sciences)
L. Welles (TU Delft - Applied Sciences, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education)
C. Lopez-Vazquez (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education)
M. C.M. van Loosdrecht (TU Delft - Applied Sciences)
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Abstract
Enhanced Biological phosphorous removal (EBPR) processes, often operated at low temperatures, are utilised world-wide, but currently little is known regarding enrichment cultures and the characteristics of active organisms (“Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis” (Accumulibacter)) under psychrophilic conditions. This study assesses the long-term performance, metabolic activity, microbial community characteristics and sludge morphology in an EBPR community enriched from activated sludge at 10 °C. Long solid retention times (SRT) and low temperatures resulted in the dominance of Accumulibacter type II over type I. Despite changes in the microbial community, P-removal efficiencies did not show obvious differences and although no specific measures were implemented, the enriched Accumulibacter-PAO culture formed stable dense granules. A high level of Alginate-like exopolysaccharides (ALE) were observed, with a large number of Guluronic acid-Guluronic acid (GG) blocks derived from the biomass at 10 °C. This characteristic favors sludge granulation, increasing the mechanical strength of granules formed, which encourages solid-liquid separation and consequently, contributes to the stable operation of EBPR systems.