Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Feasibility of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol and Malonic Acid as Metabolic Uncoupler for Sludge Reduction in the Sequence Batch Reactor for Treating Organic Wastewater

  • Published:
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The activated sludge process generates a large amount of excess sludge as a byproduct, which is one of the most serious challenges in biological wastewater treatment. In the present study, the feasibility of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) and malonic acid (MA) as metabolic uncouplers to reduce sludge generation in the sequence batch reactor (SBR) for treating organic wastewater for a long period was studied. The results showed that 2 mg/L TCP could reduce sludge generation by about 47%, while chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency and sludge settlability were not obviously influenced. Although 10 mg/L MA could also reduce excess sludge production by about 30% while slightly affecting COD removal, it seriously deteriorated sludge settlability. Accordingly, TCP is a better uncoupler for sludge reduction for a longer period in the SBR for treating organic wastewater, and MA can only be used as a short-term or transitional uncoupler. Microscopic and 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid analyses showed that the microbial population of sludge varied when uncouplers were fed to the activated sludge system. Occurrence of large amounts of filament and the disappearance of protozoa may be the main reason for the aggravation of sludge settlability under uncoupled metabolic conditions caused by MA.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  1. Davis, R. D., & Hall, J. E. (1997). European Water Pollution Control, 7, 9–17.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Zhao, Q. L., & Kugel, G. (1996). Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A, 31, 2211–2231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Canales, A., Pareilleux, A., Rols, J. L., Goma, C., & Huyard, A. (1994). Water Science and Technology, 30, 96–106.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Lee, N. M., & Welander, T. (1996). Biotechnology Letters, 18, 429–434.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Low, E. W., & Chase, H. A. (1999). Water Research, 33, 1119–1132.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Tempest, W., & Neijssel, M. (1984). Annual Review of Microbiology, 38, 459–486.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Tempest, W., & Niejssel, M. (1992). FEMS Microbiology, 64, 91–99.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Tsai, S. P., & Lee, Y. H. (1990). Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 35, 138–145.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Okey, R. W., & Stensel, H. D. (1993). Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry, 40, 235–254.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Riveranevares, J. A., Wyman, J. F., Vonminden, D.L. (1995). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 4, 251–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Chen, G. H., Mo, H. K., & Liu, Y. (2002). Water Research, 36, 2077–2083.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Chen, G. H., Mo, H. K., & Saby, S. (2001). Water Science and Technology, 42, 189–200.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Chen, Z. Y., Wang, L., & Zhou, Q. (2006). Environment Pollution and Control, 8, 34–39 (Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  14. American Public Health Association (2000). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (20th ed.). Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the China Natural Science Foundation for supporting to this work (no. 40571145).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China

    G. H. Zheng, M. N. Li, L. Wang, Z. Y. Chen, Y. F. Qian & Q. Zhou

Authors
  1. G. H. Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. N. Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Z. Y. Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Y. F. Qian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Q. Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Wang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zheng, G.H., Li, M.N., Wang, L. et al. Feasibility of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol and Malonic Acid as Metabolic Uncoupler for Sludge Reduction in the Sequence Batch Reactor for Treating Organic Wastewater. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 144, 101–109 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-007-8101-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-007-8101-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation