Microbial composition assessment of anaerobic biomass through methanogenicactivity tests

Maintenance of sufficient methanogenic populations is critical for stable p erformance of anaerobic systems. The usually monitored parameters like COD removal, VFA levels, quantity and composition of biogas produced etc., do n ot reflect the composition of biomass under varied operational/environmenta l conditions. The change in biomass composition in terms of relative popula tion levels of methanogens has been indirectly assessed through methanogeni c activity tests using two different substrates at equivalent COD load. The results of activity tests have been well correlated with the performance r esults of the bench-scale upflow anaerobic filter. This clearly suggests th e use of the methanogenic activity test to monitor biomass composition alon g with usually monitored parameters for obtaining a better insight into the reactor stability and performance.