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Depth profiles of biological aerated contactors - characterizing microbial activity treating reduced inorganic contaminants
Citation:
Keithley, A., D. Williams, D. Lytle, H. Ryu, V. Gomez-Alvarez, S. Harmon, AND C. Bennett-Stamper. Depth profiles of biological aerated contactors - characterizing microbial activity treating reduced inorganic contaminants. Presented at Water Quality and Technology Conference, cincinnati, OH, November 13 - 17, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
Common groundwater contaminants such as ammonia, iron, manganese, and arsenic can be treated using biological aerated contactors. This study investigated elemental surface coatings and multiple biofilm parameters across the depth of six pilot-scale aerated contactors. Some biofilm parameters, like ATP and EPS, tended to be similar over depth, but the surface coatings and functional genes were stratified. The results may be used to inform the design of biological aerated contactors to treat groundwaters containing elevated ammonia and other co-occurring inorganic contaminants. This study may be of interest to program and regional partners, water utilities, and engineers.
Description:
This study investigated elemental surface coatings and multiple biofilm parameters across the depth of six pilot-scale aerated contactors treating groundwaters containing ammonia (NH3), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and arsenic (As). The biofilm parameters investigated were morphology, ATP, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), extracellular enzyme activity, community composition, and functional genetic potential via qPCR and metagenomics. The contactors removed 60-95% of the NH3 and 20-50% of the Fe, Mn, and As. Some biofilm parameters, like ATP and EPS, tended to be similar over depth, but the surface coatings and functional genes were stratified.