Unravelling the removal mechanisms of bacterial and viral surrogates in aerobic granular sludge systems

The aerobic granular sludge (AGS) process is an effective wastewater treatment technology for organic matter and nutrient removal that has been introduced in the market rapidly. Until now, limited information available on AGS regarding of bacterial viral pathogenic organisms present sewage. This study focussed determining relation between reactor operational conditions (plug flow feeding, turbulent aeration settling) physical biological mechanisms removing two faecal surrogates, Escherichia coli MS2 bacteriophages. Two laboratory-scale systems were separately fed with influent spiked 1.0 × 106 CFU/100 mL E. 1.3 108 PFU/100 bacteriophages followed during different phases. reactors contained only no flocculent sludge. Both showed reductions liquid phase 0.3 Log10 anaerobic feeding caused by a dilution factor attachment granules. Higher efficiencies achieved aeration, approximately 1 0.6 mainly predation. 18S sequencing analysis revealed high taxonomic units (OTUs) free-living protozoa genera Rhogostoma Telotrochidium concerning whole eukaryotic community. Attached ciliates propagated after addition coli, active contribution Epistylis, Vorticella, Pseudovorticella was found when reached stability. In contrast, significant growth predators occurred spiking system bacteriophages, indicating low phage removal. Settling did not contribute to studied surrogates.