ABSTRACT
The increase of phosphorus in water bodies causes eutrophication which finally results in hypoxia. From the phosphorus generated by human activities, 70% is found in wastewater. Therefore, it is important to remove phosphorus from the treated effluent at wastewater treatment plants. Enhanced biological removal of phosphorus is a worldwide use process to remove phosphorous biologically. The biological phosphorus removal (BPR) is carried out by organisms capable to store phosphorus above their growth requirements. These organisms are known as polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs). Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis; however, seems to be the main PAO active in wastewater treatment plants. The biological removal of phosphorus is achieved by the recirculation of sludge through anaerobic-anoxic/oxic conditions. In a different perspective, the sulphate reduction activity could be inhibited in the anaerobic digesters, in this way more carbon could be available for the biogas production. The potential biological removal of phosphorus by Thiothrix caldifontis is the main finding of the research.
