Identification and quantification of phosphate accumulating organisms (PAO) in activated sludge of different municipal wastewater treatment plants

The project is focused on the identification and physiological characterization of bacteria which are responsible for the enhanced biological phosphate removal. The achived information shall be the basis of mathematical modelling of biological p-removing treatment plants. In a first stepp the microbial population of different waste water treatment plants is investigated and quantified insitu by molecular methods like FISH or specific PCR. In further investigations enzym activities and the phosphat accumulating capazity will be analyzed. A combination of molecular biological and chemical data shall be used for optimization of mathematical models. The aim of this work is to understand and establish the EBPR In wastewater treatment plants with chemical phosphate removal to save cost and chemicals which are necessary to to precipitate phosphate.

Cooperation partners:

• UFZ Leipzig
• Institut für angewandte Mikobiologie, TU Dresden

Project financing:

Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)

Funding ID: 02WA0700

Term of project:

01.05.2006 - 30.11.2009

Contact:

Trutnau, Bley