Using functional genomics to connect microbial community functional responses in an advanced wastewater treatment plant during seasonal temperature changes.

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Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are essential in limiting negative anthropogenic effects on the**environment by minimizing the release of nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria. Large-scale WWTPs use a**combination of physical, chemical, and biological means to remove nutrients from wastewater. The biological**component of this process is completely dependent on the metabolism of microorganisms, which is**dramatically impacted by temperature. WWTPs are often built with certain components of the treatment**process outdoors, which leaves them exposed to seasonal fluctuations in temperature. In northern regions such**as the Canadian prairies where air temperatures can range from +30°C in the summer to frequent <-25°C in the**winter, treatment is dramatically impacted and nutrient removal efficiency plummets. WWTPs adapt to**fluctuating conditions by manipulating the oxygen input to favor certain microbes and by increasing the**duration of biological treatment, known as "sludge age". Though these adjustments are aimed at compensating**for the colder temperatures, they can lead to the proliferation of problematic protozoa and bacteria that disrupt**the treatment process. Currently, problems with biological nutrient removal (BNR) are diagnosed through**direct microscopy and occasionally through culture-dependent approaches. Though these methods are**undoubtedly useful, they can only provide a limited snapshot of the complexities of WWTP communities. To**better understand the microbial communities in Epcor's Regina WWTP, and the conditions that lead to**decreased operational efficiency of the biological nutrient removal process, two specific questions will be**addressed during this research project: i. How do the microbial communities change throughout the biological**treatment process and ii. How do these communities differ in warm and cold temperatures?