Activated sludge microbiology: A key to efficient wastewater treatment process management

Activated sludge is a complex community of microorganisms at different trophic levels, shaped by various environmental factors. Their ecology and physiology play a crucial role in wastewater treatment. Understanding these interactions enables the selection of microorganisms with favorable metabolic traits for effective purification. In practice, issues like bulking, foaming, and poor sludge settling often result from an imbalanced activated sludge biocenosis. This paper highlights the importance of identifying, monitoring, and managing the microbial composition of activated sludge to improve the reliability and efficiency of wastewater treatment processes.