Water And Environment Journal, cilt.13, ss.1-11, 2021 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
The study investigated the effect of
hydrodynamic conditions on the formation of enhanced biological phosphorus
removal (EBPR) granular sludge without losing the EBPR capacity, and its
structure. The effect of hydrodynamic conditions on the formation of EBPR
granular sludge was evaluated by using the minimum settling velocity, (Vs)min, and superficial air velocity. The application of (Vs)min strategy was proved to be beneficial in maintaining
granular biomass without losing the EBPR capacity. Microscale structure, the
chemical composition and chemically stored phosphorus of the matured EBPR
granular sludge were determined by using ESEM-EDX and cold perchloric acid
(PCA) analyses. The results of both the ESEM-EDX and PCA analyses proved that
the poly-P granules were stored extracellular in EPS structure of EBPR granular
sludge. Therefore, the EBPR granular sludge has a high potential for both
removal and recovery of phosphorus from wastewater, which needs to be
investigated in future studies.