title: Dynamics of nematodes in a high organic loading rotating biological contactors.
abstract: Nematode diversity and dynamics of a full-scale rotating biological contactor plant (RBC) has been studied. Analysis of biofilm composition showed a well-established zoning of microfauna among the three RBC sections analysed. Nematodes appeared to be the dominant group within the larger microfauna populations with average abundances between 200 and 300ind/mg or 8000 and 17000ind/cm(2). The most abundant nematode species were Diplogasteritus nudicapitatus and Paroigolaimella coprophages and, to a lesser extent, Paroigolaimella bernensis and Steinernema intermedia. The relationship between nematodes and filamentous bacteria (specifically the genus Beggiatoa) was the most significant biotic relationship found, and to a lesser extent, nematodes with ciliates. The relationship between the abundance of nematode species and the physical-chemical variables suggests that nematodes may be good indicators of low pollutant load levels in the entry of the RBC system. Finally, the results indicate that nematodes may have a relevant role for a good biofilm development.
authors.affiliation: Departament de Biologia Animal, Universitat de Barcelona. Avda. Diagonal 645, Barcelona 08028, Spain. hsalvado@ub.edu
authors.forename: Humbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salvadó
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palomo
authors.forename: Meritxell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mas
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puigagut
authors.forename: M del Pilar
authors.initials: Mdel P
authors.lastname: Gracia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009348:Nematoda / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*