adventures of sludge bugs

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The Adventures of The Adventures of

Sludge BugsSludge Bugs

Betsy BetrosBetsy Betros

Johnson County EnvironmentalJohnson County Environmental

DepartmentDepartment

Kansas Water EnvironmentKansas Water EnvironmentAssociationAssociation

Annual MeetingAnnual Meeting

April 3, 2007April 3, 2007



Sludge bugsSludge bugs is a fun way to refer to theis a fun way to refer to the

microorganisms which inhabit wastewater microorganisms which inhabit wastewater treatment systems.treatment systems.

Sludge bugsSludge bugs include tiny single celledinclude tiny single celledorganisms such as bacteria too small toorganisms such as bacteria too small tobe seen individually, to big aquaticbe seen individually, to big aquatic

earthworms, visible to the naked eye.earthworms, visible to the naked eye.



Microbe identificationMicrobe identificationprimarily for activatedprimarily for activated

sludge plants.sludge plants.

WWTPs are designedWWTPs are designed

to provideto provide UtopiaUtopia for for sludge bugs.sludge bugs.



Keeping the Bugs Happy:Keeping the Bugs Happy: UtopiaUtopia

All they ³ask´ of us is to provide them plenty of All they ³ask´ of us is to provide them plenty of

oxygen and food and some extra nutrition if theoxygen and food and some extra nutrition if the

wastewater is a little shy on some.wastewater is a little shy on some.

And in turn they eat and eat and eat and begatAnd in turn they eat and eat and eat and begat

and begat and begat lots more sludge bugs!and begat and begat lots more sludge bugs!

Happy

Bugs

Unhappy

Bugs



Nice to have some microNice to have some micro

critters that will eat our sh..!critters that will eat our sh..!

Keeping the Bugs HappyKeeping the Bugs Happy

isn¶t always easy!isn¶t always easy!

So«So«

Get to know your Get to know your

neighbors«the sludge bugs!neighbors«the sludge bugs!



MicroMicro--managing«.the sludge!managing«.the sludge!

(they won¶t mind!)(they won¶t mind!)

Observe on a routine basis. Need toObserve on a routine basis. Need to

understand growth patterns.understand growth patterns.

Once a week is good.Once a week is good.

If problems«may need to do moreIf problems«may need to do more

often.often.



Microbes, as with all living things,Microbes, as with all living things,

will live where theywill live where they cancan live.live.

Every species has tolerance limits.Every species has tolerance limits.

Physical factors:Physical factors: availability of availability of nutrients, temperature, dissolvednutrients, temperature, dissolvedoxygen level, toxicity of substances,oxygen level, toxicity of substances,pH, etc.pH, etc.

Biological factors:Biological factors: availability of foodavailability of food

source, competition for food, etc.source, competition for food, etc.



It¶s all about ecology: interactions of It¶s all about ecology: interactions of

organisms with each other and their organisms with each other and their

environment to provide a sustainableenvironment to provide a sustainablebiological community.biological community.

From: Microbiology for Sanitary Engineers, Ross McKinney



Bacteria are Key to the EfficiencBacteria are Key to the Efficienc

of Wastewater Treatmentof Wastewater Treatment Bacteria are not easily identifiable just looking atBacteria are not easily identifiable just looking atthrough a microscope. Use other microbes asthrough a microscope. Use other microbes asindicators.indicators.

Yet, it is the bacteria which are chowing* down on Yet, it is the bacteria which are chowing* down onall that tasty organic matter and ³stabilizing´ it byall that tasty organic matter and ³stabilizing´ it byturning it into more bacteria«which can form flocturning it into more bacteria«which can form flocand be removed from the system through settling.and be removed from the system through settling.

McKinney and Horwood discovered in the earlyMcKinney and Horwood discovered in the early1950s that many bacteria are capable of floc1950s that many bacteria are capable of flocformation.formation.** Bacteria do not actually ³chow´ down on food²they do not have mouths. A molecule of food linesup with a reactive site on the body, and with enzymes, a chunk of the molecule is taken into the bodyat a time, until the remaining portion of the molecule is no longer digestible.



When lots of soluble foodWhen lots of soluble food

and limited microbial life:and limited microbial life: Bacteria,Bacteria,phytoflagellatesphytoflagellatesdominatedominate--take intake infood thru cell walls.food thru cell walls.

Bacteria reproduceBacteria reproducefast and quickly outfast and quickly out--compete thecompete theflagellates for theflagellates for thefood.food.

The phytoflagellatesThe phytoflagellatesdie off.die off.

Must have bacterial growth (prey)

before the protozoa (predators startup)



MicroscopesMicroscopes

Compound Microscope vs.Compound Microscope vs.Stereoscope.Stereoscope.

Compound: highCompound: highmagnification, light goesmagnification, light goes

through sample and imagethrough sample and imageappears flat.appears flat.

Stereoscope: lowStereoscope: lowmagnification, usually for magnification, usually for

viewing opaque objects,viewing opaque objects,using reflected light, imageusing reflected light, imageis 3 dimensional becauseis 3 dimensional becausethere are two complete setsthere are two complete setsof optics for each eye piece.of optics for each eye piece.



Stereo ViewingStereo Viewing--3D3D

Not needed for processNot needed for process

control, but get a wholecontrol, but get a whole

different view of different view of

microbes in 3D.microbes in 3D.

Can use transmitted

light or reflected light.



Important Features of MicroscopeImportant Features of Microscope

Use a microscopeUse a microscopewith two eyepieces.with two eyepieces.

Mechanical stage.Mechanical stage.

3 objectives: 5X 10 X3 objectives: 5X 10 X40X or similar range.40X or similar range.

Oil immersion difficultOil immersion difficultto use with wetto use with wetmounts.mounts.



Phase contrastPhase contrast

versus flat fieldversus flat field

Phase contrast is notPhase contrast is not

necessary for muchnecessary for much

routine work.routine work.

But«it can be very nice, sinceBut«it can be very nice, since

can see body parts muchcan see body parts much

easier.easier.



Dark Field MicroscopyDark Field Microscopy



Collect a sample of Collect a sample of

MLSS.MLSS.

Mix Well.Mix Well.

Put 1 to 2 drops onPut 1 to 2 drops on

the microscopethe microscope

slide.slide.

Using the MicroscopeUsing the Microscope



Get Used to Looking thruGet Used to Looking thru

ScopeScope Don¶t worry aboutDon¶t worry about

names at first.names at first.

Draw simple sketches,Draw simple sketches,

make up a name.make up a name.

Look for the common ones first.Look for the common ones first.



Develop a way to recordDevelop a way to record

your observations.your observations. Actual counts have limited use.Actual counts have limited use.

Maybe use a cross between ³quantitative´Maybe use a cross between ³quantitative´and ³qualitative.´and ³qualitative.´

e.g. rare, occasional, common.e.g. rare, occasional, common.

Variety of types is more important.Variety of types is more important.



Look at Whole Slide FirstLook at Whole Slide First

--under low power under low power

Is anything moving?Is anything moving?

Are there any filaments?Are there any filaments?

Space between floc clear?Space between floc clear?

What are larger animals?What are larger animals?

What is the appearance of the sludge: granular,What is the appearance of the sludge: granular,flaky, normal, dark, light?flaky, normal, dark, light?



Is it Floc?Is it Floc?

Floc is made up of Floc is made up of

living and deadliving and dead

bacteria whichbacteria whichgives it angives it an

³organic´ look.³organic´ look.

Dirt is made up of Dirt is made up of

minerals whichminerals which

gives it angives it an

³inorganic´ look.³inorganic´ look.

Floc

Dirt



Is it Floc?Is it Floc?

Dirt: mineralsDirt: minerals



Appearance of FlocAppearance of Floc

Look at under lowLook at under low

power.power.

Is floc wellIs floc well--formed?formed?

Is space betweenIs space between

floc clear?floc clear?

Is it ³normal´ for Is it ³normal´ for

your plant?your plant?




Look at under highLook at under high

magnification.magnification.

FilamentFilament

status«lots, notstatus«lots, not

many.many.

Well formed floc?Well formed floc?




Older sludges mayOlder sludges may

become more ³dirtbecome more ³dirt--like.´like.´

Darker, denser.Darker, denser.




Type of aeration affects flocType of aeration affects flocsize.size.

Inadequate shearing,Inadequate shearing,develops thicker floc whichdevelops thicker floc which

can promote filamentouscan promote filamentousbacterial growth which startsbacterial growth which startsgrowing in the anaerobicgrowing in the anaerobicinsides of the thicker floc.insides of the thicker floc.




Heavy polymer useHeavy polymer use

can yield oddcan yield oddlooking sludge thatlooking sludge that

still settles okay.still settles okay.



Next Look at FilamentsNext Look at Filaments

Not necessary as aNot necessary as a

³backbone.´³backbone.´

Most sludge willMost sludge will

have some type of have some type of

filamentousfilamentous

growth.growth.

Usually bacterial.Usually bacterial.



Filaments ³woven´ throughFilaments ³woven´ through

flocculesfloccules

Most sludges will tendMost sludges will tend

to have these types, butto have these types, but

not often a problem.not often a problem.

Poor shearing of sludgePoor shearing of sludge

by aeration system, canby aeration system, can

lead to extensivelead to extensive

growth.growth.

Slower settling sludge.Slower settling sludge.



FilamentsFilaments--Extended from FlocExtended from Floc

Most common isMost common isS phaer oti lusS phaer oti lus, a, afilamentous bacteria.filamentous bacteria.

Filaments branching.Filaments branching.

Low oxygen.Low oxygen.

Can grow in highCan grow in highoxygen, if thick floc.oxygen, if thick floc.



FilamentsFilaments--S phaer oti lusS phaer oti lus ³sewage³sewage

fungus´fungus´

Grossly polluted water Grossly polluted water

ways can haveways can have

extensive growths of extensive growths of

S phaer oti lusS phaer oti lus..

It is bacteria, notIt is bacteria, not

fungus.fungus.

Great indicator Great indicator

organism.organism.

Dark field illumination, stereoscope.

From a creek contaminated with

soft drink waste.




Pin Point FlocPin Point Floc--undesirable,undesirable,poor settling.poor settling.




Sludge ³BBs´Sludge ³BBs´

ExtendedExtended

aeration«winter,aeration«winter,reduced aeration,reduced aeration,resulted in slow roll.resulted in slow roll.

Created ³BBs´ withCreated ³BBs´ withfilaments. Anaerobicfilaments. Anaerobicin center of floc.in center of floc.

Sunk like a rock.Sunk like a rock.



FilamentsFilaments--Free from FlocFree from Floc

Sulphur bacteria.Sulphur bacteria.

Can see sulphur Can see sulphur granules in thegranules in the

filaments.filaments.

Serious oxygenSerious oxygenproblems!problems!




Nocardia, a fungus.Nocardia, a fungus.

Free from floc.Free from floc.

Short branches.Short branches.

Thrives in foam fromThrives in foam fromover over--aged sludgeaged sludge

which is the brown,which is the brown,greasy type.greasy type.

³Greasiness´ is the³Greasiness´ is thepolysaccharidepolysaccharide

buildup.buildup.




Dried sludge onDried sludge onmicroscope slide.microscope slide.

SometimesSometimes

easier to assesseasier to assess

filaments. Canfilaments. Can

backtrack whenbacktrack whenit startingit starting

developing.developing.

Dried Nocardia



Other FilamentsOther Filaments

Fungus growth.Fungus growth.

Low pH.Low pH.

Over digested sludgeOver digested sludge--

nitrous acid can form.nitrous acid can form.

Low N and P.Low N and P.

Fungal ³finger-like´ growth

from a grease ball.



Other FilamentousOther Filamentous--lookinglooking

microbesmicrobes

Cocci chain bacteria.Cocci chain bacteria.

Lots of soluble food.Lots of soluble food.

Low D.O.Low D.O.

Serious operationalSerious operationalproblems!problems!



NextNext--Look at the SludgeLook at the Sludge

Bugs«but first«is it aBugs«but first«is it a

Sludge Bug?!Sludge Bug?! If it is alive, itIf it is alive, it

probablyprobably willwill

move!move!

Air bubbles, clothAir bubbles, cloth

fibers, dirt, etc.fibers, dirt, etc.often deceive theoften deceive the

beginner.beginner.

Air Bubble



Is it a Sludge Bug?Is it a Sludge Bug?

Human hair Human hair--large strandslarge strands

LintLint--small strands.small strands.




Polyester FibersPolyester Fibers




Toilet paper Toilet paper




Sometimes, just won¶t know what it is!Sometimes, just won¶t know what it is!



Major Groups of SludgeMajor Groups of SludgeBugs:Bugs:

Protozoa,Protozoa,

Worms,Worms,

Rotifers,Rotifers,

Water Bears,Water Bears,GastrotrichsGastrotrichs



Protozoa and Other MicrobesProtozoa and Other Microbes

Easily viewed under aEasily viewed under amicroscope.microscope.

Excellent indicator Excellent indicator

organisms.organisms.

With practice are fairlyWith practice are fairlyeasily identified.easily identified.

Most feed on bacteria.Most feed on bacteria.



Look at Bigger Look at Bigger

Ones to StartOnes to Start Why?Why?

Well..they¶re big«Well..they¶re big«

and easier to see!and easier to see!



Two Common WormsTwo Common Worms

Round WormsRound Worms

Aquatic EarthwormsAquatic Earthworms



R ound W ormsR ound W orms In WWTP are freeIn WWTP are free--

living.living.

Move by whippingMove by whippingbody back and forth.body back and forth.

Common in activatedCommon in activatedsludge, need goodsludge, need goodD.O.D.O.

Eat chunks.Eat chunks.

Not usually a problem.Not usually a problem.

Not segmented.Not segmented.



Aq u atic Aq u atic

E ar thwormsE ar thworms

Like garden wormsLike garden worms--stiff stiff hairs.hairs.

Segmented.Segmented.

Indicator of older sludges.Indicator of older sludges.

Eat chunks of floc.Eat chunks of floc.

Can be seen in supernateCan be seen in supernatewith the naked eye.with the naked eye.



Aq u atic Aq u atic

E ar thwormsE ar thworms

Ael osoma Ael osoma--sometimessometimes

common.common.

Orange globules id it.Orange globules id it.

Aul ophorus Aul ophorus--forkedforkedtail.tail.

The older the sludge,The older the sludge,

the more aquaticthe more aquatic

earthworms.earthworms.

Not usuallyNot usually

considered a problem.considered a problem.

Ael osoma

Aul ophor u s



Water Water

BearsBears TartigradesTartigrades

MultiMulti--celledcelled

Fun to watchFun to watch

High survival skills!High survival skills!

Water bears canWater bears cansurvive years in asurvive years in adesiccated state anddesiccated state andcan form a cyst state.can form a cyst state.



Water BearsWater Bears

Females expel eggsFemales expel eggs

into their cuticle thatinto their cuticle that

they shed.they shed. Most species areMost species are

semisemi--aquatic.aquatic.

Generally, foundGenerally, found

more often in older more often in older sludges.sludges.



GastrotrichsGastrotrichs

Ciliated, multiCiliated, multi--celledcelledanimal.animal.

Appear to have aAppear to have aneck.neck.

Smooth, gliding typeSmooth, gliding typemovement, usuallymovement, usuallyassociated with aassociated with asubstrate.substrate.

Eat bacteria, protozoa,Eat bacteria, protozoa,algae.algae.

Only females known.Only females known.



Seed ShrimpsSeed Shrimps

OstracodaOstracoda

Occasionally seen,Occasionally seen,not important innot important in

process controlprocess control

evaluation.evaluation.



RotifersRotifers

MultiMulti--celled animal.celled animal.

Important processImportant process

control indicators.control indicators.

Many speciesMany species--aquaticaquatic

and semiand semi--aquatic,aquatic,

from the Arctic tofrom the Arctic to

Antarctic!Antarctic!

Few males known.Few males known.

Two major groups.Two major groups.



RotifersRotifers--twotwo

groupsgroups

Bdelliod:Bdelliod:

inchworminchworm--likelike

Ploimate: usuallyPloimate: usually

with a shellwith a shell

P hi l odina

P l atyias



RotifersRotifers

Feed on chunksFeed on chunksof floc.of floc.

³Wheel animals´³Wheel animals´

Cilia on head,Cilia on head,pulls foodpulls foodinside.inside.

Mastax, foodMastax, foodgrinder uniquegrinder uniqueto rotifers.to rotifers.



RotifersRotifers Well run plant.Well run plant.

Plenty of oxygen.Plenty of oxygen.

Mere presence doesn¶tMere presence doesn¶t

mean all¶s well.mean all¶s well.

Number and conditionNumber and condition

Ext. Aer. Plants tend to haveExt. Aer. Plants tend to havehighest diversity.highest diversity.

Which specific type in plant,Which specific type in plant,might not be significant.might not be significant.

Adineta

Rotifers can feed on chunks ofRotifers can feed on chunks of



Rotifers can feed on chunks of Rotifers can feed on chunks of

floc«rather than depending on freefloc«rather than depending on free--

swimming bacteria.swimming bacteria.



RotifersRotifers

The ³inchwormThe ³inchworm--

type´ is capable of type´ is capable of

forming aforming a

desiccated state todesiccated state tosurvive bad times,survive bad times,

particularly lowparticularly low

oxygen.oxygen.

Important indicator.Important indicator.

Desiccated

P hi l odina



RotifersRotifers

M onosty l aM onosty l a

One footOne foot



Rotifer Rotifer

C e phal odell aC e phal odell a²²2 feet2 feet



Common ProtozoaCommon Protozoa

FlagellatesFlagellatesAmoebaAmoeba

Free Swimmer Free Swimmer

CrawlersCrawlersStalked CiliatesStalked Ciliates



ProtozoaProtozoa--FlagellatesFlagellates

(wigglies!)(wigglies!) Tiny, wiggly.Tiny, wiggly.

Very common at startupVery common at startupand recovery.and recovery.

Will always have some.Will always have some.

Lots indicate lots of Lots indicate lots of

soluble food«they cansoluble food«they cancompete with bacteriacompete with bacteriaat that time.at that time.

PhytomastigophoraPhytomastigophora

take in food throughtake in food throughtheir cell membrane.their cell membrane.Only common when lotsOnly common when lotsof food and fewof food and fewbacteria.bacteria.

Zoomastigophora areZoomastigophora areanimalanimal--like in that theylike in that they³ingest´ their food,³ingest´ their food,bacteria.bacteria.

Which type you have?Which type you have?Really doesn¶t matter toReally doesn¶t matter toidentify.identify.



Flagellum


Single cell animals.Single cell animals.

Use a flagellum toUse a flagellum tomove and to bringmove and to bringfood into ³mouth.´food into ³mouth.´

P er anemaP er anema--largest, notlargest, notunusual to have inunusual to have insludge.sludge.




Di nobr yonDi nobr yon,,large, coloniallarge, colonialflagellate.flagellate.

Can swimCan swimfreely.freely.

SeenSeenoccasionally.occasionally.



Other little wiggliesOther little wigglies

³spirillium´ bacteria³spirillium´ bacteria

Quite visible andQuite visible and

mobile.mobile.

Lots indicate poor Lots indicate poor

conditionsconditions--lowlowoxygen.oxygen.



ProtozoaProtozoa--AmoebaAmoeba

Will always haveWill always havesome.some.

Lots more at startupLots more at startup

and recovery.and recovery.



ProtozoaProtozoa--

AmoebaAmoeba Move by pushing outMove by pushing out

cell wall.cell wall.

Feed by engulfing foodFeed by engulfing food--

bacteria, algae with cellbacteria, algae with cell

wall.wall.

Tiny amoebaTiny amoeba--V ahlk amf iaV ahlk amf ia- - if lots, poor if lots, poor

conditions.conditions.

V ahlk amfia

Mayor ell a



ProtozoaProtozoa--

AmoebaAmoeba Shelled amoebaShelled amoeba

³testate.´³testate.´

They actually makeThey actually make

shells by cementingshells by cementing

together tiny sandtogether tiny sand

grains!grains!

Ar c ell a Ar c ell a andand Eugl ypha Eugl ypha

most common.most common.

E ugl ypha

Arcell a

Arcell a

S i l tS i l t



Scanning electronScanning electron

photograph of photograph of Eugl yphaEugl ypha

From: The Biology of Protozoa by Michael Sleigh

Made of silica.



CiliatesCiliates--Free Swimmer Free Swimmer

Fine hair Fine hair--like cilia for like cilia for swimming and foodswimming and foodgathering.gathering.

Can swim ³freely´Can swim ³freely´thru water.thru water.

Primarily feed on freePrimarily feed on free--swimming bacteria.swimming bacteria.Some are predaceous.Some are predaceous.

High energy needs.High energy needs.

Cili tCili t FF



CiliatesCiliates--FreeFree

SwimmersSwimmers

P ar ameci umP ar ameci um

Rare in activatedRare in activated

sludge.sludge.

Common in tricklingCommon in trickling

filters.filters.

Negatively geotactic!Negatively geotactic!

(they won¶t sink!)(they won¶t sink!)



CiliatesCiliates--Free SwimmersFree Swimmers

C yc l i d i umC yc l i d i um

Feed on bacteria.Feed on bacteria.

Tends to be moreTends to be morecommon in poorer common in poorer conditions.conditions.




C ole psC ole ps

Barrel shaped.Barrel shaped.

Move, in a spinningMove, in a spinning

rolling motion, like arolling motion, like afootball.football.

Predaceous on other Predaceous on other

protozoa.protozoa.

Sensitive toN

HSensitive toN

H44

++

andandfree ammonia.free ammonia. (Bick)(Bick)




C hi l odenell aC hi l odenell a

Bacteria eater..note

cytostome. Also eat diatoms

and cyanobacteria.

Not uncommon even in

well run plants.

³scrubbrush´Mouth,

(Cytostome)




C hi l odenell aC hi l odenell a

ConjugationConjugation--typetype

of reproductionof reproduction




T r achel ophy llumT r achel ophy llum

³billy club,´ eat³billy club,´ eat

bacteria.bacteria.

Not uncommonNot uncommon

even in well runeven in well run

plants.plants.

Very flexibleVery flexible

bodies.bodies.

T rachel ophyllum-mouth on very end




Litonot usLitonot us, predaceous, predaceous

Litonot u s-mouth on sid e




Am phi le pt us Am phi le pt us

Note food vacuoles.Note food vacuoles.

Carnivorous onCarnivorous on

stalked ciliates.stalked ciliates. (Bick)(Bick)




C ol pi d i um,C ol pi d i um, kidneykidney

shaped.shaped.

Feed on bacteria andFeed on bacteria and

small flagellates.small flagellates. (Bick)(Bick)

If common, likelyIf common, likelyindicating poorer indicating poorer

conditions«especiallyconditions«especially

low oxygen.low oxygen.



CiliatesCiliates--CrawlersCrawlers

Have thick ciliaHave thick ciliacalled cirri.called cirri.

³Crawl´ over ³Crawl´ over

substances.substances.

Not so good atNot so good atswimmingswimming

freely.freely.

Indicators of Indicators of stable sludge,stable sludge,healthyhealthy


Crawlers and free-swimmers were lumped in as one

group at the time of this chart«later separated.




Eu pl ot esEu pl ot es

This is one similar toThis is one similar to As pi d i sca, As pi d i sca, but morebut more

ellipsoid in shape.ellipsoid in shape.

Can ³graze´ on bacteriaCan ³graze´ on bacteriaassociated with the flocassociated with the flocrather than freerather than free--swimmingswimming

bacteria.bacteria.

Lower energy needs thanLower energy needs thanfreefree--swimmer ciliates.swimmer ciliates.



CiliatesCiliates--CrawlersCrawlers EuplotesEuplotes

Predaceous on flagellates,Predaceous on flagellates,algae, ciliates, bacterialalgae, ciliates, bacterialcolonies.colonies. (Bick)(Bick)

Side view. Suctorian having a tasty

E u pl ot e s for lunch.

CiliatesCiliates



CiliatesCiliates--

CrawlersCrawlers

As pi d ica As pi d ica feed onfeed on

bacteria.bacteria.

Often the most commonOften the most common

along with the stalkedalong with the stalked

ciliate,ciliate, V or tic ell aV or tic ell a, in a, in a

healthy activated sludge.healthy activated sludge.

³ruffles potato chip´³ruffles potato chip´




As pi d i sca As pi d i sca

Reproduction viaReproduction via

cell division.cell division.




Oxytrichs feed onOxytrichs feed on

algae, flagellates,algae, flagellates,

and ciliates.and ciliates. (Bick)(Bick)



CiliatesCiliates--Stalked CiliatesStalked Ciliates

Attached to a substrateAttached to a substrateby a ³stalk.´by a ³stalk.´

Cilia on ³head´ for Cilia on ³head´ for

bringing food into mouth.bringing food into mouth.All are bacteria feeders.All are bacteria feeders.

Usually indicative of Usually indicative of healthy conditions inhealthy conditions in

activated sludge.activated sludge.

Types and condition doTypes and condition dovary with activatedvary with activatedsludge conditions.sludge conditions.




Two major groupsTwo major groups²²colonial and single.colonial and single.

Three main groups of colonial stalkedThree main groups of colonial stalkedciliates in activated sludge:ciliates in activated sludge: E pi sty l i s,E pi sty l i s,

O per c ul ar ia,O per c ul ar ia, andand C ar chesi um.C ar chesi um.

One main group of single stalked ciliatesOne main group of single stalked ciliates²²

V or tic ell a.V or tic ell a.




E pi sty l i sE pi sty l i s

Large colonies.Large colonies.

Stalks are nonStalks are non--contractile.contractile.

³Heads´ are like³Heads´ are likeV or tic ell a.V or tic ell a.




O per c ul ar iaO per c ul ar ia

Colonial stalkedColonial stalked

ciliate.ciliate.

More common atMore common at

start up andstart up andrecovery.recovery.




O per c ul ar iaO per c ul ar ia

Note ³cap´ on head:Note ³cap´ on head:

operculate.operculate.

CiliatesCiliates--StalkedStalked




CiliatesCiliates C ar chesi umC ar chesi um

Contractile stalk, noteContractile stalk, note

³myoneme´ within³myoneme´ within

stalk which providesstalk which provides

this action.this action.

Heads are likeHeads are like

E pi sty l i sE pi sty l i s andandV or tic ell a.V or tic ell a.

Good sludgeGood sludge





CiliatesCiliates StalkedStalked

CiliatesCiliates

V or tic ell aV or tic ell a- - stalk canstalk cancontract due tocontract due to³myoneme.´³myoneme.´

Variety of species inVariety of species inactivated sludge.activated sludge.

Note large nucleus.Note large nucleus.

Note dots on stalkNote dots on stalk--thisthisparticular species isparticular species is

V . picta.V . picta.



Vorticella of poor Vorticella of poor

conditionsconditions

TinyTiny V or tic ell a.V or tic ell a.

These aren¶tThese aren¶t

³baby´ vorticella¶s!³baby´ vorticella¶s!

Poor conditions.Poor conditions.

Stalked Ciliates of poorStalked Ciliates of poor



Stalked Ciliates of poor Stalked Ciliates of poor


Most stalked ciliatesMost stalked ciliates

need good oxygen.need good oxygen.

Will try to escape if Will try to escape if

conditions get bad.conditions get bad.

Form a ³girdle´ of Form a ³girdle´ of cilia.cilia.





conditionsconditions Body detaches fromBody detaches from

stalk with a freestalk with a free--swimming ³telotroch´swimming ³telotroch´stage to help it get out of stage to help it get out of Dodge!Dodge!

Not indicative so muchNot indicative so muchof toxic conditions.of toxic conditions.Usually oxygenUsually oxygen----

telotroch needs to timetelotroch needs to timeto form.to form.





conditionsconditions V or tic ell aV or tic ell a reproducingreproducing

by cell divisionby cell division

If lots«they¶re tryingIf lots«they¶re tryingto get out of Dodge,to get out of Dodge,

too!too!






V or tic ell aV or tic ell a can alsocan also

form a ³cyst´ toform a ³cyst´ to

survive extendedsurvive extendedtimes of poor times of poor


Note, the stalk isNote, the stalk is

still attached.still attached.




Reproduction isReproduction isalways occurringalways occurringand it is only aand it is only a

concern if there isconcern if there isa sudden increase.a sudden increase.

Why it is importantWhy it is important

to observe your to observe your MLSS on a regular MLSS on a regular basis.basis.

Epistylis cell dividing




V ag i nicol a V ag i nicol a hashasa sheatha sheatharound thearound thebody and doesbody and does

not appear tonot appear tohave a stalk.have a stalk.

GoodGoodconditions.conditions.

Look like stalked ciliatesLook like stalked ciliates--butbut



Look like stalked ciliatesLook like stalked ciliates butbut

aren¶t!aren¶t!

SuctoriansSuctorians

Feed on other protozoa.Feed on other protozoa.

This one is feeding on aThis one is feeding on a

vorticella telotroch.vorticella telotroch.

If lots of protozoa«lotsIf lots of protozoa«lots

of suctorians.of suctorians.

S iS i



SuctoriansSuctorians

Do have a stalk that

is attached to

substrate, cannot

contract.

Have tentacles

instead of cilia.

Mostly feed on

ciliates.

Numerous

suctorians,

using an

Epistylis

colony asthe

substrate!

SummarySummary



SummarySummary

Get to know your activated sludgeGet to know your activated sludgemicrobes.microbes.

Get use to using your microscope!Get use to using your microscope!

Observe on a regular basis.Observe on a regular basis. Develop a way to record observations.Develop a way to record observations.

SS



SummarySummary

Develop a routine way to observe.Develop a routine way to observe. Practice using the microscope on a regular Practice using the microscope on a regular

basis.basis.

Look at ³known´ stuff first, like TP, dirt.Look at ³known´ stuff first, like TP, dirt.

Look at big picture, first.Look at big picture, first.

Assess the floc condition. Assess the floc condition.

Assess the filaments occurrence and type. Assess the filaments occurrence and type.

Look at the diversity of microbes.Look at the diversity of microbes.

Record your observations.Record your observations.

Relate them to the operational status of your Relate them to the operational status of your

plant.plant.

SummarySummary



SummarySummary

Wastewater Wastewater treatment is abouttreatment is aboutcreatingcreating U topiaU topia for for the sludge bugs!the sludge bugs!

SS



SummarySummary

Why do we do this?Why do we do this?

Don¶t want to goDon¶t want to go

out to a creek or out to a creek or river and seeriver and see

scenes like this«..scenes like this«..

SummarySummary



SummarySummaryWe want clean water We want clean water

for all«both us and thefor all«both us and therest of the organismsrest of the organisms

we share this planetwe share this planet

with!with!

adventures of sludge bugs

Documents