MONITORING OF WATER AND ACTIVATED SLUDGE ASSESSMENT IN WWTP WITH SEQUENCING BATCH REACTORS
DASHA MIHAYLOVA1*, TSVETKO PROKOPOV2, VANYA IVANOVA1, NIKOLAY MIHALKOV3
1 – Department of Biotechnology, University of Food Technologies, 26 Maritza Blvd., 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
2 – Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Food Technologies, 26 Maritza Blvd., 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
3 – Wastewater treatment plant, Hisarya, Bulgaria
*Corresponding author: dashamihaylova@yahoo.com
Keywords: wastewater treatment plant, sequencing batch reactor, activated sludge
Abstract: In the present study the operations of the relatively new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located near Hisarya – a traditional tourist city in Bulgaria was evaluated. The plant uses aerobic activated sludge to treat wastewater in the aeration basins of cyclic type (SBR-method). These activated sludges thrive and best perform their function in sufficiently oxygen-rich environments. Therefore, the bacterial diversity of activated sludge from the aeration basins during the seasons was investigated, as an important indicator of WWTP`s effectiveness. However, the Cyclic Activated Sludge System is one of the most popular sequencing batch reactor (SBR) processes. The hydrobiological characterization of the activated sludge was performed with regular observations by using light microscopic examinations, but also by evaluation of the flocculation ability and settleability. The presence of positive bioindicators – Aspidisca and Epistyllis species as well as the prevalence of Vorticella convallaria and Arcella vulgaris during the investigated period of time (2013 Year) was established, which confirmed the good carrying out of the nitrification process and thus the purification of the wastewater. The results obtained demonstrated that the performance of the SBR maintained high level, and the SBR system remained stable during the studied period of time.