Effects of Different Polymeric Materials on the Bacterial Attachment and Biofilm Formation in Anoxic Fixed-Bed Biofilm Reactors

Abstract Six biofilm carriers with different polymer were studied in fixed-film systems under anoxic conditions. Different media of polymers influence wastewater treatment performance. The aim this study was to investigate polymeric materials, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), high-density (HDPE), and polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic), that affect bacterial attachment formation biofilm-based technologies. Water contact angle (WCA) measurement employed analyze the role wetting (hydrophilic/hydrophobic) material surfaces initial phase attachment. increase during observation determined by gravimetric (total attached solid) microscopic (SEM CLSM) analysis. results showed value for WCA PET < HDPE PVC PP acrylic, which indicated a higher hydrophilicity surface leads total solid (TAS), rate, thickness on media. hydrophilic (i.e., HDPE) demonstrated performance better than slightly PVC, PP, acrylic) steady-state period (over an 80-day operation). data positive correlation between COD, NH 4 + -N, TP removal. Hydrophilic beneficial fast start-up stable fixed-bed reactor. feasible types compared HDPE, PP; thus, it can be used as alternative carrier larger-scale application. findings highlighted type has significant effect treatment.