Fundamental Characteristics and Formation Mechanisms of Aerobic Granular Sludge

随着工业化与城市化进程的加速，污废水排放量不断攀升，水体富营养化问题日益凸显。传统活性污泥法在处理污水时存在占地面积大、投资及运营成本高等显著弊端。为此，新型好氧颗粒污泥技术应运而生，成为污水处理领域的新秀。本文旨在全面阐述好氧颗粒污泥的基本特性，包括其形态、组成与结构特征；深入探讨其形成机制，如胞外聚合物(EPS)假说、微生物自凝聚假说、污泥颗粒化四阶段理论、晶核诱导假说及丝状菌假说等；并分析影响好氧颗粒污泥形成的关键因素。好氧颗粒污泥技术在污水生物处理技术中展现出独特优势与重要性，对其特性、形成机制及影响因素的深入探究，对于推动污水处理技术的革新发展、实现环境保护与可持续发展目标具有重要意义。With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, the discharge of wastewater continues to rise, and the problem of water eutrophication has become increasingly prominent. Traditional activated sludge processes have significant drawbacks such as large land occupation, high investment, and high operating costs when treating wastewater. In response, the novel aerobic granular sludge technology has emerged as a rising star in the field of wastewater treatment. This paper aimed to comprehensively elaborate on the basic characteristics of aerobic granular sludge, including its morphology, composition, and structural features; delve into its formation mechanisms, such as the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) hypothesis, the microbial self-aggregation hypothesis, the four-stage theory of sludge granulation, the crystal nucleus induction hypothesis, and the filamentous bacteria hypothesis; and analyze the key factors influencing the formation of aerobic granular sludge. Aerobic granular sludge technology exhibited unique advantages and significance in biological wastewater treatment technologies. In-depth exploration of its characteristics, formation mechanisms, and influencing factors is of great importance for promoting the innovative development of wastewater treatment technologies and achieving environmental protection and sustainable development goals.