Enrichment of AOB and NOB population by applying a BABE Reactor in an activated sludge pilot plant

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 to7%). 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.Financial support from MEC (Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia, Spain) through projects CTM 2005-06919-C03-01/TECNO and CTM 2005-06919-C03-02/TECNO is gratefully acknowledged.Gatti, MN.; Giménez, J.; Carretero, C.; Ruano, M.; Borrás, L.; Serralta Sevilla, J.; Seco, A. (2015). Enrichment of AOB and NOB population by applying a BABE Reactor in an activated sludge pilot plant. Water Environment Research. 87(4):369-377. https://doi.org/10.2175/106143015X1421265861380236937787