Abstract
Hybrid granule-floc sludge, previously overlooked, is now recognized for its efficient pollutant removal and reduced land footprint, offering potential for upgrading wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study investigated its distribution in a tropical continuous-flow WWTP, focusing on microbial activities and community structure within granules and flocs. Results showed that 13.5 % of total sludge was granules, settling excellently with a sludge volume index ratio of 1.58 (5 min to 30 min) and three times faster than flocs. However, granules did not surpass flocs in nitrogen‑phosphorus removal activity and slow-growing bacteria enrichment, with similar relative abundances of nitrifying and anaerobic ammonia oxidation bacteria in granules (3.68 % and 0.015 %) and flocs (3.3 % and 0.008 %), respectively. These similarities may result from the absence of intensified granule retention, yielding a similar solids retention time as flocs. Based on these findings, a novel strategy involving intensified granule retention and flocs treatment was proposed for WWTP upgrades.
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