Biotechnological Remediation of Shipboard Waste Effluents
Abstract
Simulated greywater or blackwater was fed to laboratory scale bioreactors that were operated as continuous flow systems with or without 100% biomass recycle. The responses of the microbial community were evaluated. The complex microbial communities found in biomass recycle reactors formed a robust and resilient system for the rapid biodegradation of complex organic wastes found in greywater and blackwater. The shipboard treatment of wastewater requires a rapid and reliable reduction in organic matter. Microbial degradation can be useful if operation is rapid, reliable, and with minimal sludge production. Our studies addressed microbial physiological state at near-zero growth rates, the resiliency of the microbial system to shock treatment, and the dynamics of microbial community structure; all of these are central to determining the success of this approach for biotechnological remediation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 26, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA423172
Entities
People
- Allan Konopka
- Cindy H. Nakatsu
Organizations
- Purdue University