Biofilm and immobilized cell technologies: treatment of canadian wastewaters using advanced treatment systems

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Acute toxicity effects on Canadian natural waters from wastewater treatment plants are most commonly caused by the release of high concentrations of ammonia. Ammonia has consequently been included in the list of regulated pollutants in the 2010 Federal Government of Canada proposed national effluent quality standards. Ammonia is released in high concentrations in Canadian natural waters because it resists biological removal in conventional wastewater treatment plants at cold temperatures. This research program endeavours to optimize the performance of a promising advanced treatment technology capable of year-round ammonia removal in Canadian wastewaters. The effects of temperature, bio-carrier type and hydrodynamics on the performance of the cost efficient moving bed bioreactor (MBBR) treatment system will be investigated under Canadian treatment conditions. Furthermore, the proposed research program will use state-of-the-art molecular and microscopic techniques to characterize the interactions of operational parameters and biofilm morphology, ecology of biomass and the distribution of the biomass. The biofilm and biomass will be analyzed directly on the bio-carriers using novel protocols that minimize loss of mass and preserve in-situ perspectives. The research program is comprised of three phases: (i) characterize the effects of cold temperature and exposure time on biofilm, biomass and the kinetics of nitrification in MBBR; (ii) characterize fixed film and encapsulated bio-carrier effects on biofilm, biomass and the kinetics of nitrification in MBBR systems at cold temperatures; and (iii) characterize hydrodynamic effects on biofilm, biomass and the kinetics of nitrification in MBBR systems at cold temperatures. The results are anticipated to provide both design and operational guidelines for engineers and practitioners. The students working on the proposed research will generate a strong fundamental understanding of environmental engineering, they will acquire advanced analytical skills and they will generate expertise in the design and operation of advanced wastewater treatment systems that are of key significance to the future of environmental engineering in Canada and the world.