Summary
Biofilm development in methanogenic fluidized-bed reactors with sand as the carrier was studied on a laboratory scale. The microorganisms present in consecutive layers of the biofilm of mature sludge granules were preliminarily characterized on the basis of their morphology, element composition and adhesion capacity and were compared to bacteria which take part in the initial colonization of sand. The early phase of biofilm development was monitored with reactors receiving waste-waters containing different mixtures of volatile fatty acids and inoculated with fluidized-bed reactor effluent for different lengths of time. The results obtained indicate that facultative anaerobic bacteria abundantly present in the outermost biofilm layers of mature sludge granules are probably the main primary colonizers of the sand. Methanothrix spp. or other methanogens were rarely observed among the primary colonizers. The course of biofilm formation was comparable under the various start-up conditions employed including variations in waste-water composition, inoculation and anaerobicity. However, omission of waste-water and thus of substrate resulted in rapid wash-out of the attached biomass.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Balch WE, Fox GE, Magrum LJ, Woese CR, Wolfe RS (1979) Methanogens: reevaluation of a unique biological group. Microbiol Rev 43:260–296
Denac M, Dunn IJ (1988) Packed- and fluidized-bed biofilm reactor performance for anaerobic wastewater treatment. Biotechnol Bioeng 32:159–173
Enger WA, Gils WMA van, Heijnen JJ, Koevets WAA (1986) Full scale performance of a fluidized bed in a two-stage anaerobic waste water treatment at Gist-Brocades. In: Anaerobic Treatment: A grown-up technology, Aquatech '86. Industrial Presentation (Europe) B. V. Schiedam, The Netherlands. pp 297–303
Gorris LGM, Deursen JMA van, Drift C van der, Vogels GD (1988) Influence of waste water composition on biofilm development in laboratory methanogenic fluidized bed reactors. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 29:95–102
Gorris LGM, Deursen JMA van, Drift C van der, Vogels GD (1989) Biofilm development in laboratory methanogenic fluidized bed reactors. Biotechnol Bioeng 33:687–693
Heijnen JJ (1983) Anaerobic wastewater treatment. In: Brink WJ van der (ed) Proceedings of the European Symposium on Anaerobic Waste Water Treatment, Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands. Noordwijkerhout, NL, TNO Corporate Communication Department, The Hague, 23–25 Nov. 1983, pp 259–274
Heijnen JJ, Mulder A, Enger W, Hoeks F (1986) Review on the application of anaerobic fluidized bed reactors in waste-water treatment. In: Anaerobic Treatment: A grown-up technology, Aquatech '86. Industrial Presentation (Europe) B. V. Schiedam, The Netherlands, pp 161–173
Heinen W, Lauwers AM (1988) Leaching of silica and uranium and other quantitative aspects of the lithobiontic colonization in a radioactive thermal spring. Microb Ecol 15:135–149
Henze M, Harremoës P (1983) Anaerobic treatment of wastewater in fixed-film reactors — a literature review. Water Sci Technol 15:1–101
Lettinga G, Velsen AFM van, Hobma SW, Zeeuw W de, Klapwijk A (1980) Use of the upflow sludge blanket (USB) reactor concept for biological wastewater treatment, especially anaerobic treatment. Biotechnol Bioeng 22:699–734
Switzenbaum MS, Jewell WJ (1980) Anaerobic attached-film expanded bed reactor treatment. J Water Pollut Control Fed 52:1953–1965
Switzenbaum MS, Scheuer KC, Kallmeyer KE (1985) Influence of materials and precoating on initial anaerobic biofilm development. Biotechnol Lett 7:585–588
Walach MR, Pirt SJ (1986) The growth and adhesion to glass of algal (Chorella) cells; the effect of iron and other mineral nutrients. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 24:468–470
White DC, Bobbie RJ, Herron JS, King JD, Morrison SJ (1979a) Biochemical measurements of microbial mass and activity from environmental samples. In: Costerton JW, Colwell RR (eds) Proceedings of the ASTM Symposium on Native Aquatic Bacteria: Enumeration, Activity and Ecology, ASTM STP 695. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, pp 69–81
White DC, Davis WM, Nickels JS, King JD, Bobbie RJ (1979b) Determination of the sedimentary microbiol biomass by extractable lipid phosphate. Oecologia (Berl) 40:51–62
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Offprint requests to: W. Heinen
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lauwers, A.M., Heinen, W., Gorris, L.G.M. et al. Early stages in biofilm development in methanogenic fluidized-bed reactors. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 33, 352–358 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00164535
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00164535