title: Enrichment of AOB and NOB Population by Applying a BABE Reactor in an Activated Sludge Pilot Plant.
abstract: This paper deals with the effect of a bioaugmentation batch enhanced (BABE) reactor implementation in a biological nutrient removal pilot plant on the populations of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). The results of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique showed that AOB and NOB populations were significantly enhanced, from 4 to 8% and from 2 to 9%, respectively, as a result of the BABE reactor implementation. Regarding AOB, the percentage of Nitrosomonas oligotropha was mainly increased (3 to 6%). Regarding NOB, Nitrospirae spp was greatly enhanced (1 to 7%). Both species are considered K-strategist (high affinity to the substrate, low maximum growth rates) and they usually predominate in reactors with low ammonium and nitrite concentrations, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional del Comahue (UNCo). Buenos Aires 1400, 8300. Neuquén. Argentina.
authors.forename: Marcela N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Gatti
authors.forename: Juan B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Giménez
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carretero
authors.forename: María V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Ruano
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borrás
authors.forename: Joaquín
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Serralta
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seco
mesh_terms: D000332:Aerobiosis; D000641:Ammonia / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D018505:Waste Management / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D009573:Nitrites; D012722:Sewage; D000641:Ammonia