Factors affecting the growth of Microthrix parvicella: Batch tests using bulking sludge as seed sludge

Sludge bulking caused by the overgrowth of filamentous bacteria, particularly Microthrix parvicella, is one of the challenges for the stable operation of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The driving forces for the development of sludge bulking, however, have not been well understood because of the extremely low growth rate of M. parvicella. In this study, batch experiments were performed using bulking sludge (sludge volume index (SVI), around 185mLg−1) from a full-scale WWTP as the seed sludge to investigate the influences of carbon source, anaerobic/aerobic alternation condition and temperature on the growth of M. parvicella. The qPCR results showed that the use of oleic acid as carbon source, anaerobic/aerobic alternation treatment and low temperature (13°C) were favorable conditions for maintaining the dominance of M. parvicella in the tested activated sludge. Under these conditions, the SVI values remained at comparatively high values of 170.5mLg−1, 162.5mLg−1 and 129.5mLg−1 after operation for approximately two months, and the relative abundances of M. parvicella were 36.7%, 9.74% and 34.07%, respectively, in comparison with the initial values of 33.04%, 29.29% and 54.66%. However, the relative abundances of M. parvicella decreased to 0.86–4.44%, 0.7% and 4.94%, respectively, under the conditions of other carbon sources, aerobic-only treatment and a temperature of 20°C. The FISH analysis gave a similar result. This study was performed with mixed sludge under controlled operating conditions, which provided a valuable information for the pure culture of M. parvicella and further investigations on its physiology and metabolism. [Display omitted] •Population dynamics of M. parvicella and SVI variation identified the correlation between sludge settle ability and M. parvicella abundance.•LCFA, anaerobic/aerobic alternation and low temperature are advantageous conditions for the competitive growth of M. parvicella.•This study fosters physiological knowledge of M. parvicella, which lay a foundation for the subsequent pure culture of this microorganism.