Presenter(s)

    Yexun Wang

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    Description

    Biological transformation processes are widely used in wastewater treatment, where those processes are dependent on mixed microorganisms, mainly bacteria. However, filamentous bacteria, a type of existing bacterial microorganisms in wastewater, need to be controlled to prevent excessive overgrowth that interferes with wastewater treatment. Current research on this program is seeking a biocontrol of filamentous bacteria via selective bacteriophages other than chemicals to protect other useful microbes. This project is to search for a number of phage groups that control the growth of specific filamentous bacteria in sludge production processes without interfering with the other bacteria. Samples were enriched for phage. Phages were isolated in one of two host bacteria and then selectivity tested against the other host. Sphaerotilus natans, a type of filamentous bacteria that is known in the activated sludge process, was used as the host with inoculating phages, as well as E.coli which may be common in wastewater treatment processes. Samples were obtained of supernatant from diverse treatment processes at various wastewater treatment plants. All the samples were thought to be good candidates since no article pointed out which process was better than the others. Other than the optimum control conditions regarding enrichment, maintenance and storage that is still being explored, the controls of growth, inoculation methods and storage of hosts would be recommended individually and compared with previous protocols.

    Publication Date

    4-18-2012

    Project Designation

    Graduate Research

    Primary Advisor

    Denise G. Taylor

    Primary Advisor's Department

    Civil and Environmental Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

    Keywords

    Stander Symposium project

    Isolation and Characterization of Wastewater Phage

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