Effects of ammonia and phosphate limitation on the activated sludge treatment of calcium-containing chemical waste.
Laboratory-scale biotreaters were used to study the effects of NH(3)-N and PO(4)-P nutrients on the activated sludge treatment of a chemical waste containing soluble calcium (1300 mg/L). Units receiving high or low levels of NH(3)-N and PO(4)-P were similar in their ability to remove organic compounds from the waste. Adaptation of sludges to low PO(4)-P levels (<0.1 mg/L effluent) resulted in a marked accumulation of CaCO(3) in the biosolids, whereas those receiving high PO(4)-P (2-4 mg/L effluent) had little CaCO(3). Microscopic observations of CaCO(3) containing sludges showed substantial amounts of CaCO(3) crystals imbedded in the biomass. These flocs also appeared to be enriched with nonfilamentous bacterial species in contrast to flocs devoid of CaCO(3) which had a floc structure of filamentous and nonfilamentous organisms. Scanning electron micrographs of flocs grown under low NH(3)-N showed a microbial fibrillar network of exocellular material interconnecting cells in the floc matrix. The sludges adapted to low NH(3)-N also produced higher amounts of extractable polysaccharide. CaCO(3) containing biosolids were more dense, larger, and settled better (low SVI, high ISV) than flocs devoid of the precipitates. It is not known from our experiments whether PO(4)-P or some inorganic or organic polymer produced by the floc bacteria are involved in inhibiting CaCO(3) precipitation in the activated sludge treatment of calcium-containing wastes.
Westhollow Research Center, Shell Development Company, Houston, Texas 77001.
J P
JP
Salanitro
P T
PT
Sun
J B
JB
Thornton