Lotka-Volterra dynamics facilitate sustainable biocontrol of wastewater sludge bulking.

ABSTRACT: Biological wastewater treatment is driven by complex interactions between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Occasionally, filamentous bacteria species, first and foremost Ca. Microthrix parvicella, increase in abundance and lead to detrimental wastewater sludge bulking or floating, causing environmental harm and financial losses. Current mitigation strategies rely heavily on nonspecific chemical interventions, which present environmental risks and lack prolonged effectiveness. Here, we utilise long-term monitoring data from four German wastewater treatment plants to explore sustainable biocontrol alternatives. Our findings reveal Lotka-Volterra dynamics between Ca. Microthrix parvicella and the protist Arcella spp. Visual and experimental validation demonstrate the suppression of filamentous bac

SUBMITTER: Baltes F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12648393 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature