Enhancing phosphorous removal from wastewater using polyphosphate accumulating organisms from different waste streams

Abstract

Enhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal process has worldly been accredited for its efficiency m removing phosphorous from different wastewater treatment plants. This study focused on Enhancing Phosphorous Removal from wastewater using Polyphosphate Accumulation Organisms present in the Bugolobi wastewater treatment plant, Kampala city abattoir and Uganda Breweries limited. Wastewater from the Bugolobi wastewater treatment plant, Kampala Abattoir and Uganda Breweries Limited was assessed to establish a suitable source of the Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms. The effect of inoculation of Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms rich wastewater on Phosphorous removal in domestic wastewater was evaluated. Microbial tests isolated the bacteria present in the collected wastewater samples and thereafter Desoxyribonucleic Acid extraction from the bacterial broth was done. The extracted Desoxyribonucleic Acid was stored followed by qualitative and quantitative analysis using a nano drop. Microbial tests identified 16 different species of bacteria in the groups: firmicutes; High gram positive, β-proteobacteria α-proteobacteria and y-proteobacteria. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain was noted to be the dominate bacteria that accumulated more phosphorous. Different working conditions that enable phosphorus accumulating bacteria to thrive were also determined and amendments of phosphorus accumulating bacteria working condition gave an overall significant difference with acetate as the best carbon source, 25°C as the best optimum temperature and pH 7 for their activity. Of the three wastewater sources, Kampala city abattoir was found to have the most Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms. Efficient phosphorous removal in the Enhanced Biological Phosphorous Removal system is highly dependent on Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms suppressing Glycogen Accumulating Organisms. KEYWORDS: Wastewater, Wastewater characteristics, Polyphosphate accumulating organisms