Improving the hydrobiological analysis of activated sludge
at the Minsk wastewater treatment facilities

Summary

Based on the accumulated experience in operating the Minsk Wastewater Treatment Facilities and a review of information sources, a scheme for the hydrobiological analysis of activated sludge was determined, and a form for recording the results of the analysis was provided. For the quantitative account of filamentous microorganisms, an original five-point system was developed. Based on the literature data analysis, favorable conditions for the mass growth of filamentous microorganisms found in activated sludge were determined. Over a long period of time, including different seasons of the year, the improved methodology was tested for monitoring the state of the sludge suspension at two sites of the treatment facilities: traditional four-line continuous-flow aeration tanks at the first site and bioreactors with cascade denitrification at the second site. The species of filamentous microorganisms, permanently living in wastewater treatment structures, have been identified, and the dominant species have been determined. The results of the analysis of filamentous forms and sedimentation characteristics of activated sludge are compared. Conclusions were made about the features of the biocenosis in the aeration tanks at the first site and in the bioreactors at the second site; about the identity of the species composition of the filamentous bacteria communities, the effect of the wastewater composition and treatment conditions (sludge load, occurrence of zones with different levels of aeration) on the properties of the sludge suspension.

Key words

wastewater treatment , sludge index , activated sludge , active sludge dosage , hydrobiological analysis , filamentous form of microorganisms , point-based system