Aj. Guwy et al., Active biomass in activated sludge: Comparison of respirometry with catalase activity measured using an on-line monitor, WATER RES, 32(12), 1998, pp. 3705-3709
On-line measurements of the activity of activated sludge biomass may allow
more efficient operation of treatment plants. A novel monitor for activity
which can be used on-line follows oxygen evolution from hydrogen peroxide b
y catalase activity in activated sludge. Results from this monitor were com
pared with assays of oxygen uptake rate (OUR) by respirometry. Samples from
the five activated sludge plants were assayed and showed, as expected, tha
t the mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and volatile suspended solids (V
SS) levels were a poor measure of the activity of the sample determined by
OUR. However, the activity of the biomass determined by the catalase activi
ty biomass monitor correlated well with the respiration rate. This monitor
should provide a simple and robust alternative to OUR measurements in activ
ated sludge plants. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ail rights reserved.