title: Characteristics of aerobic granulation at mesophilic temperatures in wastewater treatment.
abstract: Compact and structurally stable aerobic granules were developed in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) at mesophilic temperatures (35°C). The morphological, biological and chemical characteristics of the aerobic granulation were investigated and a theoretical granulation mechanism was proposed according to the results of the investigation. The mature aerobic granules had compact structure, small size (mean diameter of 0.24 mm), excellent settleability and diverse microbial structures, and were effective for the removal of organics and nitrification. The growth kinetics demonstrated that the biomass growth depended on coexistence and interactions between heterotrophs and autotrophs in the granules. The functions of heterotrophs and autotrophs created a compact and secure layer on the outside of the granules, protecting the inside sludge containing environmentally sensitive and slow growing microorganisms. The mechanism and the reactor performance may promise feasibility and efficiency for treating industry effluents at mesophilic temperatures using aerobic granulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Ansan City, Kyeonggido 426-791, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: choibongho@hanyang.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Fenghao
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Seyong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Moonil
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D064751:Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018533:Biomass; D005427:Flocculation; D007700:Kinetics; D058465:Nitrification; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010316:Particle Size; D012722:Sewage; D013696:Temperature; D062065:Wastewater / Q000382:microbiology*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D064751:Ammonium Compounds; D009584:Nitrogen; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012722:Sewage; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: Aerobic granulation; Autotrophs; Growth kinetics; Heterotrophs; Mesophilic temperatures