title: Characterisation of microbial flocs formed from raw textile wastewater in aerobic biofilm reactor (ABR).
abstract: Microbial flocs formed from raw textile wastewater in a prototype Aerobic Biofilm Reactor (ABR) system were characterised and studied for their potential use in the treatment of textile wastewater. After 90-100 days of operation, microbial flocs of loose irregular structures were obtained from the reactor with good settling velocity of 33 m/h and sludge volume index (SVI) of 48.2 mL/g. Molecular analysis of the flocs using PCR-amplified 16S rDNA sequence showed 98% homology to those of Bacillus sp, Paenibacillus sp and Acromobacter sp. Detection of Ca(2+)(131 mg/g) and Fe(2+)(131 mg/g) using atomic absorption spectrometer might be implicated with the flocs formation. In addition, presence of Co(2+) and Ni(2+) were indicative of the flocs ability to accumulate at least a fraction of the metals' present in the wastewater. When the flocs were used for the treatment of raw textile wastewater, they showed good removal of COD and colour about 55% and 70% respectively, indicating their potential application.
authors: Biological Sciences Department, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai 81310, Johor, Malaysia. zaharah@fbb.utm.my
authors: Zaharah
authors: Z
authors: Ibrahim
authors: Mohamad Faiz Mohd
authors: MF
authors: Amin
authors: Adibah
authors: A
authors: Yahya
authors: Azmi
authors: A
authors: Aris
authors: Noor Azrimi
authors: NA
authors: Umor
authors: Khalida
authors: K
authors: Muda
authors: Nur Shalena
authors: NS
authors: Sofian
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D003116:Color; D005427:Flocculation; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010100:Oxygen / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010802:Phylogeny; D013784:Textiles; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D018508:Water Purification
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D010100:Oxygen