• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.506-511
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• 2004

Maintaining dissolved oxygen (DO) at sufficiently low concentration in the aeration tank at a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is essential for reduction of the costs of operation and maintenance. On the other hand, the low DO level may result in adverse effect on the integrity of the activated sludge, A typical and disastrous outcome frequently experienced is the outgrowth of filamentous microorganisms, which is called as filamentous bulking, In addition to the traditional methods such as sludge settleability and microscopic observation of the culture, molecular techniques including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by 16S rRNA sequencing were applied to identify filamentous bacteria present in bulking sludge under a condition of low DO concentration, Two morphologically distinct groups, presumably consisting of Sphaerofilus nafans, and Eikelboom Type 1701 or Type 1851, were identified through microscopic observation. They were further confirmed by subsequent 16S rRNA sequencing. Dominant filamentous bacteria identified by the molecular techniques were consisted of three major groups. Sequences of partial 16S rRNA cloned showed that the filamentous bulking organisms were closely related to Eikelboom Type 021N and Eikelboom Type 1701, and Sphaerotilus natans, respectively. Molecular methods were found to possess a strong potential of direct examination of the microbial community of an activated sludge system.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.389-397
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• 2015

Dongchun, one of the representative streams in urban area, is a downstream that is connected to Hogyechun, Bujeonchun, Jeonpochun, Danggamchun, and Gayachun as its upstream. Hogyechun has been mostly covered with concrete structures for decades, causing sewage pollution from the upstream, overflow of the downstream region and other serious pollution that gave rise to many civil complaints from the residents nearby. In this study, we analyzed 3 stations, including control station for water quality and malodor changes of Hogyechun after applying the microbial augmentation (BM-2) for a few months including the rainy season. Amounts (g/h) of DO in the middle site (Middle) and the downstream site (Borim) increased by 1.7 times compared with the upstream site (Chuhae) after augmentation for about 2 months. Amounts (g/h) of COD and $NO_3{^-}N$ decreased by 2 and 1.7 times, respectively, in the middle and downstream sites while SS increased by 7.5 and 22 times in the middle and downstream sites, respectively. Moreover, odor removal efficiencies at the middle and downstream sites were 65% and 19%, respectively, indicating the microbial activity in reduction of malodor in the polluted stream. The dominant microbial species of the sampling sites were Hydrogenophaga caeni, Sphaerotilus natans, Acidovorax radicis, Acidovorax delafieldii, and Cloacibacterium rupense. Densities of the two species Sphaerotilus natans and Acidovorax delafieldii were significantly increased in the middle site after augmentation which possessed potential odor removal and denitrification activity, respectively. Potential pathogens (e.g., Arcobacter cryaerophilus) were also removed from the middle site after the implementation.