Comparison of Adenosine Triphosphate and Oxygen Uptake Rate as Biological Process Parameters PDF

Keywords

biochemical, oxygen, biological process

Abstract

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a biochemical compound detected only in living cells, and oxygen uptake rate (OUR) were used to characterize the viability and metabolic activity of activated sludge microorganisms in batch and continuous flow systems operated at three sludge ages: θc= 2.5 days; θc= 5 days; and θc= 10 days. OUR responded rapidly to substrate addition to acclimated and starved microorganisms and indicated the cell's metabolic activity, while ATP remained relatively unchanged and reflected the concentration of viable biomass. A maximum viability of 100 percent defined at the minimum sludge age (θcM) estimated to be approximately 1.9 days. The viability of activated sludge solids decreased as the sludge age increased and was estimated to be, relative to the assumed viability at the minimum sludge age: 75 percent at θc=2.5 days; 45 percent at θc= 5 days; and 25 percent at θc= 10 days. ATP and OUR, combined with total suspended solids (TSS) and volatile suspended solids (VSS), should enhance the operation and control of activated sludge systems.