title: Production and characterization of foam in the anoxic zone of a membrane-enhanced biological phosphorus removal process.
abstract: A pilot-scale membrane-enhanced biological phosphorus removal process accumulated substantial quantities of stable foam on the surface of the anoxic zone. The foam contained 4 to 6% dry matter, with specific nitrogen and phosphorus contents that were similar to those of the underlying anoxic zone mixed liquor. Kinetic studies demonstrated that the specific rate of phosphorus release from the foam was only 25 to 30% of that observed with mixed liquor from the aerobic zone. Molecular techniques demonstrated that the calculated similarity of the microbial communities in the foam and the underlying mixed liquor was approximately 80%, with two phylotypes (Gordonia amarae and Microthrix parvicella) being uniquely enriched in the foam and one phylotype (Epistylis sp.) more abundant in the underlying mixed liquor. The production of foam was demonstrated to be a consistent phenomenon that depended on the concentration of the suspended solids in the bioreactor.
authors: Department of Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ehall@civil.ubc.ca
authors: Eric R
authors: ER
authors: Hall
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Monti
authors: William W
authors: WW
authors: Mohn
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019149:Bioreactors; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D000860:Hypoxia; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000737:chemistry*; D010802:Phylogeny; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010758:Phosphorus