Detection and quantification of microorganisms in anaerobic bioreactors

The presence of sulfate in anaerobic reactors can trigger competitive and s yntrophic interactions between various groups of microorganisms, such as su lfate reducers, methanogens and acetogens. In order to steer the reactor pr ocess in the direction of sulfidogenesis or methanogenesis, it is essential to get insight into the population dynamics of these groups of microorgani sms upon changes in the reactor operating conditions. Several methods exist to characterize and quantify the microbial sludge composition. Combining c lassical microbiological and modern molecular-based sludge characterization methods has proven to be a powerful approach to study the microbial compos ition of the anaerobic sludge.