Filamentous Bacterial Community in Activated Sludge Process of Sewage treatment plant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

In this study, filamentous bacterial community implicated in bulking and foaming problems in the sewage treatment plant in Dubai was characterized by direct microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique over a period of six month. The key dominant bacteria identified from mixed liquor samples were Nocardioforms, Thiothrix, Eikelboom Type 021N, Sphaerotilus natans, Beggiatoa and Nostocoida limicola type I. FISH analysis successfully identified filamentous and non-filamentous forms of Nocardioforms group members. It was concluded that specific filamentous bacteria populations in mixed liquor and foaming activated sludge were constant and independent on variable wastewater characteristics.

Keywords:

Activated sludge , Bulking , Foaming , Nocardioforms