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Chinese Academy of Sciences

Aeromonas Research Yields Insights into Sludge Reduction Processes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences presents a comprehensive analysis of two metabolic uncoupling processes aimed at reducing sludge production in biological wastewater treatment systems. The research, published in the Journal of Water Process Engineering, tested the efficacy of a chemical uncoupler addition (CUA) process with Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium Sulfate (THPS) and an oxic-settling-anaerobic (OSA) process in a sequencing batch reactor activated sludge process. The study found that the CUA process resulted in a 40.65% reduction in sludge production, while the OSA process reduced sludge production by 30.57%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CUA process with THPS concentration of 4 mg/L reduced treatment efficiencies of COD, TP, NH4+-N, and TN by 8.15%, 9.12%, 3.57%, and 10.15%, respectively, compared to the control.
  • In the OSA process, COD, TP, and NH4+-N removal efficiencies declined by 2.91%, 1.12%, and 3.19%, respectively, while TN removal increased by 1.11%.
  • Microbial community analysis revealed different changes in the two processes, with Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 increasing by 2.58% in the CUA process and Aeromonas increasing by 0.49% in the OSA process.
  • The study concluded that process management strategies should be tailored to optimize sludge reduction and treatment efficiency in full-scale applications.

Statistics:

  • Sludge reduction rates: CUA process (40.65%), OSA process (30.57%)
  • Apparent sludge yields: CUA (0.180 g MLSS/gCOD), OSA (0.202 g MLSS/gCOD), control (0.289 g MLSS/gCOD)
  • Treatment efficiencies: CUA process (8.15% reduction in COD, 9.12% reduction in TP, 3.57% reduction in NH4+-N, 10.15% reduction in TN), OSA process (2.91% decline in COD, 1.12% decline in TP, 3.19% decline in NH4+-N, 1.11% increase in TN)
  • Microbial community changes: CUA process (Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 increased by 2.58%, Lactococcus decreased by 3.14%, Aeromonas decreased by 2.89%), OSA process (Aeromonas increased by 0.49%, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 decreased by 4.13%, Lactococcus decreased by 2.04%)

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Study Data from Chinese Academy of Sciences Update Knowledge of Aeromonas (Comparison of Two Metabolic Uncoupling Processes for Sludge Reduction: Chemical Uncoupler Addition Versus an Oxic-settling-anaerobic Process). Life Science Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 7517.
  • Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2025;77.

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