Abstract
Abstract The biofilms growing in all compartments of two rotating biological contactors, subjected to various organic loading rates during treatment of municipal wastewater, were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of the biofilms correlated closely with the compartmental organic loading rate to which they were exposed. At high organic loading rates, oxygen limitations were indicated by the presence of large numbers of cells with poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and sulphur‐like inclusions. As the loading rate decreased there was a decrease in PHB and sulphur‐like storage in the biofilm bacteria. At low loading rates, pros‐thecate bacteria were the predominant biofilm constituents. In compartments where nitrification occurred, bacteria that possessed extensive cytomembranes and convoluted cell surfaces predominated.
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