Determination of the heterotrophic and autotrophic active biomass during activated sludge respirometric batch assays using molecular techniques

Abstract

Activated sludge models now in use worldwide for the design and operation of treatment systems use hypothetical concentrations of active organisms. In order to validate and calibrate model outputs, concentrations and activities of organisms responsible for nitrification and denitrification need to be reflected by actual measurements. This research has been initiated by the observation of an increasing gap of suitable techniques that exist in the direct measurement and separation of active biomass components, responsible for COD removal and denitrification.