Experimental attempt at using Lecane inermis rotifers to control filamentous bacteria Eikelboom Type 0092 in activated sludge.

Abstract

In laboratory experiments, the authors tested the efficacy of Lecane inermis rotifers in reducing the abundance of filamentous bacteria in activated sludge samples dominated by one filamentous bacterium, Eikelboom Type 0092. The experiment was conducted in three replicates and repeated three times at 1-month intervals. In all repetitions, rotifers were able to significantly reduce the density of bacterial filaments through predation. It was also shown that the influence of rotifers on filament abundance depends on the duration of grazing pressure. The data show that L. inermis, already reported to be effective in reducing the density of Microthrix parvicella, Nostocoida limicola, and Type 021N in activated sludge, can be equally helpful in limiting Type 0092, another troublesome filamentous bacterium found in low-loaded water resource recovery facilities.