| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/L75290/01 |
| Title: |
MICROBIAL DIVERSITY IN ACTIVATED SLUDGE:BASIS FOR ITS VARIATION AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO DESIGN & OPERATION |
| Principal Investigator: |
Curtis, Professor TP |
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| Department: |
Civil Engineering and Geosciences |
| Organisation: |
Newcastle University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 January 1998 |
Ends: |
31 December 2000 |
Value (£): |
196,453
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| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The performance of activated sludge (AS) plants (and all other biological treatment methods) depends on the microbial ecology of the system. Our understanding of the microbial ecology of AS is limited due to the methodology shortcomings of traditional methods (culture and microscopy). Molecular techniques are powerful tools for the study and monitoring of AS systems. However, if these methods are to fulfill their potential it is important that we establish an overview of the bacterial diversity of AS and the basis for its variation. This understanding will be pursued using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and hybridization in two complementary programmes of research. 1) Plot scale studies. The extent to which the diversity in AS plants is either random or determined by design will be examined by carefully designed comparisons between plants. The influence of the sludge age and seed will be determined. An assessment of the feasibility of assigning functions to micro-organisms will be undertaken by comparing nitrifying and non-nitrifying reactors. 2) A comparative study of 12 AS plants treating domestic or refinery wastes. Optimal sampling methods will be determined on the basis of a study of spatial, diurnal and annual variation. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis will be.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ncl.ac.uk |