Journal article
The effect of detachment on biofilm structure and activity: the oscillating pattern of biofilm accumulation
Water science and technology, Vol.55(8-9), pp.429-436
2007
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/109075
PMID: 17547014
Abstract
In our previous papers we have demonstrated that biofilm structure never reaches a steady state in biofilm reactors; in this paper we link this fact to biofilm detachment and to the oscillating pattern of biofilm accumulation. In one respect reactors supporting suspended microbial growth and reactors supporting attached microbial growth (biofilms) are similar: in both the biomass accumulates in the reactor and is disposed of with the effluent. However, while in reactors with suspended microbial growth biomass accumulation and disposal occur simultaneously, in biofilm reactors these two processes are separated in time. Biomass accumulation in biofilm reactors shows a distinct pattern composed of three phases: (1) growth, (2) detachment, (3) regrowth. Despite this distinct pattern of biofilm accumulation observed at the microscale, biofilm reactors do reach a steady state of substrate removal.
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Details
- Title
- The effect of detachment on biofilm structure and activity: the oscillating pattern of biofilm accumulation
- Creators
- Z Lewandowski - Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, 59717, USA. zl@erc.montana.eduH BeyenalJ MyersD Stookey
- Publication Details
- Water science and technology, Vol.55(8-9), pp.429-436
- Academic Unit
- Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, School of
- Publisher
- England
- Identifiers
- 99900547490801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article