Reference Library

Potential cause: Organic Acids

Elevated Organic Acid Concentrations: Filamentous bulking from many recognized filamentous bacteria morphotypes is correlated with elevated concentrations of low molecular weight organic acids. Generally, >80 mg/L of volatile acids is a recognized cause for selection of these filaments. Organic acids may be naturally occurring in many industrial wastes and septage or may be formed in areas of septicity/fermentation (i.e., collection systems, lift stations, eq basins, primary clarifiers).

Flexibacter

Organic Acids

Diameter:

N/A

Dimensions

N/A

Shape:

Rods

Septa:

N/A

Sulfur Granules:

N/A

Sheath:

N/A

Branching:

N/A

Description

Rod shaped. Grow outside of the floc (or sometimes near the floc edges) and correlated with organic acid substrate and/or microaerophilic conditions.

Spirochaetes

Organic Acids

Diameter:

N/A

Dimensions

N/A

Shape:

N/A

Septa:

N/A

Sulfur Granules:

N/A

Sheath:

N/A

Branching:

N/A

Description

“Cork-screw-like” and motile. Grow outside of the floc and correlated with organic acid substrate and/or microaerophilic conditions.

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Spirilla

Organic Acids

Diameter:

N/A

Dimensions

N/A

Shape:

N/A

Septa:

N/A

Sulfur Granules:

N/A

Sheath:

N/A

Branching:

N/A

Description

Small and slightly curved structure. Grow outside of the floc and correlated with organic acid substrate and/or microaerophilic conditions.

Globular Zoogloea

Organic Acids

Diameter:

N/A

Dimensions

N/A

Shape:

N/A

Septa:

N/A

Sulfur Granules:

N/A

Sheath:

N/A

Branching:

N/A

Description

Associated with organic acid substrate. Generally, occur when there are high bacterial growth rates in the Initial Contact Zone (first 15-30 minutes) of the aeration basin.

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Bug of the month

Fingered Zoogloea

Organic Acids

Diameter:

N/A

Dimensions

N/A

Shape:

N/A

Septa:

N/A

Sulfur Granules:

N/A

Sheath:

N/A

Branching:

N/A

Description

Associated with organic acid substrate. Generally, occur when there are high bacterial growth rates in the Initial Contact Zone (first 15-30 minutes) of the aeration basin.

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Bug of the month

Filament Type 0581

Organic Acids

Diameter:

.5-.8 µm

Dimensions

Shape:

N/A

Septa:

Usually not visible

Sulfur Granules:

Sheath:

Branching:

Description

Looks like Microthix but gram positive.

Filament Type 0211 Morphotype

Organic Acids

Diameter:

.3-.4 µm

Dimensions

.4 x .6 µm

Shape:

OvalsRods

Septa:

Yes usually visible

Sulfur Granules:

Sheath:

Branching:

Description

Grows dispersed. “Thin and crooked”.

Filament Type 0092

Organic Acids

Diameter:

0.6-1.2 µm

Dimensions

.8-1.0 x 1.0

Shape:

Rectangles

Septa:

Yes - Sometimes but not always Visible

Sulfur Granules:

Sheath:

Variable

Branching:

Variable

Description

Neisser positive. Need Neisser stain to ID. Often difficult to see at phase contrast. Common to not see individual cells.

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Filament Type 0961

Organic Acids

Diameter:

1.0-1.4 µm

Dimensions

1.0-1.4 x 2.0-4.0 µm

Shape:

SausageRods

Septa:

Yes - visible

Sulfur Granules:

Sheath:

No - not a true sheath

Branching:

No - not a true sheath

Description

Transparent/ "lighter" appearance.

Filament Type 0411 Morphotype

Organic Acids

Diameter:

.8-1.2 µm

Dimensions

.8-1.2 x 2.0-5.0 µm

Shape:

SausageRods

Septa:

Yes - visible

Sulfur Granules:

Sheath:

Branching:

Description

"Elongated rods/ long sausage links"

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