Active biomass in activated sludge: Comparison of respirometry with catalase activity measured using an on-line monitor

A. J. Guwy*, H. Buckland, F. R. Hawkes, D. L. Hawkes

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    38 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    On-line measurements of the activity of activated sludge biomass may allow more efficient operation of treatment plants. A novel monitor for activity which can be used on-line follows oxygen evolution from hydrogen peroxide by catalase activity in activated sludge. Results from this monitor were compared with assays of oxygen uptake rate (OUR) by respirometry. Samples from the five activated sludge plants were assayed and showed, as expected, that the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS) levels were a poor measure of the activity of the sample determined by OUR. However, the activity of the biomass determined by the catalase activity biomass monitor correlated well with the respiration rate. This monitor should provide a simple and robust alternative to OUR measurements in activated sludge plants.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)3705-3709
    Number of pages5
    JournalWater Research
    Volume32
    Issue number12
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 1998

    Keywords

    • Activity
    • Biomass
    • Catalase
    • On-line
    • Respiration rate

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