title: EBPR using crude glycerol: assessing process resiliency and exploring metabolic anomalies.
abstract: Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is predicated on exposing bacteria to cyclical anaerobic/aerobic environments while providing volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Combined, this environment enriches for phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAOs) and induces metabolisms to ensure excess phosphorus removal. Crude glycerol (CG), a byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing, is an alternate waste stream that could be substituted to achieve excess phosphorus removal; research into the use of CG yielded unexpected findings. While CG was an excellent substrate to accomplish and/or help achieve excess phosphorus removal, CG-fed bacteria did not consistently exhibit theoretical EBPR metabolisms. Specifically, anaerobic phosphorus release was not required for successful EBPR; however, carbon cycling patterns were consistent with theory. Analysis of results suggests that PAOs will first leverage carbon to generate energy anaerobically; only as needed will the bacteria utilize polyphosphate reserves anaerobically. Results also demonstrated that excess phosphorus removal can be achieved with a small fraction of PAOs.
authors: Erik R
authors: ER
authors: Coats
authors: Zachary T
authors: ZT
authors: Dobroth
authors: Cynthia K
authors: CK
authors: Brinkman
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D019149:Bioreactors; D057486:Carbon Cycle; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005990:Glycerol / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism*; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D005990:Glycerol