Y. Le Bihan et P. Lessard, Use of enzyme tests to monitor the biomass activity of a trickling biofilter treating domestic wastewaters, J CHEM TECH, 75(11), 2000, pp. 1031-1039
Easy enzyme tests were used to monitor the biomass activity of a trickling
biological aerated filter processing a domestic influent. Biofilter wash-wa
ters were used as biomass source. Enzyme tests (hydrolases and dehydrogenas
es) carried out on wash-waters showed relationships with the process active
biomass (estimated by volatile suspended solids). Differences in dehydroge
nase (DHA) specific activities were observed in two sampling campaigns and
were Linked to process performance. The DHA activity evaluated using glucos
e or acetate was also related to the substrate mass applied on the biologic
al aerated filter (kg CODt m(-3) biolite). These results indicated that, un
der normal operation, DHA activity is related to quantity of substrate appl
ied to the biofilter. Similar relationships were obtained for hydrolases. H
owever, beta -glucuronidase, Leu-aminopeptidase and protease, expressed spe
cifically, were more significantly inversely related to process removal per
formance. This reaction was probably caused by the biomass reacting with an
influent that is difficult to biodegrade. Generally speaking, these tests
can be easily applied to the regular monitoring of the active biomass from
a process using biological filters or simply as an indicator of the active
biomass content in the process. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.