Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/232581

Title

Microscale structure and function of anaerobic-aerobic granules containing glycogen accumulating organisms

Author(s)

Meyer, Rikke Louise;  Saunders, Aaron Marc;  Zeng, Raymond Jianxiong;  Keller, Juerg;  Blackall, Linda Louise

Abstract

The spatial arrangement and metabolic activity of 'Candidatus Competibacter phosphatis' was investigated in granular sludge from an anaerobic-aerobic sequencing batch reactor enriched for glycogen-accumulating organisms. In this process, the electron donor (acetate) and the electron acceptor (oxygen) were supplied sequentially in each phase. The organism, identified by fluorescence in situ hybridisation, was present throughout the granules; however, metabolic activity was limited to a 100-μm-thick layer immediately below the surface of the granules. To investigate the cause of this, oxygen microsensors and a novel microscale biosensor for volatile fatty acids were used in conjunction with chemical staining for intracellular storage polymers. It was found that the limited distribution of activity was caused by mass transport limitation of oxygen into the granules during the aerobic phase.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Vol. 45, no. 3 (Aug 2003), pp. 253-261

Publication year

2003

FOR Code(s)

05 Environmental Sciences;  06 Biological Sciences;  11 Medical and Health Sciences

Keyword(s)

Acetic acid;  Biosensor;  Candidatus competibacter phosphatis;  Competibacter phosphatis;  Cytochemistry;  Fluorescence in situ hybridization;  GAO;  Glycogen accumulating organisms;  PHA;  Polyhydroxyalkanoate;  Polymer;  Polyphosphate accumulating organisms;  Sludge;  Volatile fatty acids

Publisher

Elsevier

ISSN

0168-6496

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0168-6496(03)00159-4

Copyright

Copyright © 2003 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Peer reviewed