Biofilm Performance of a Fluidized Bed Biofilm Reactor for Drinking Water Denitrification

The properties of two biofilms generated with different predominant organisms were studied in a laboratory-scale fluidized bed bioreactor. Bed expansion, biofilm thickness, biofilm density, protein and polysaccharide concentrations were measured and compared. A high polysaccharide concentration was observed in the less dense and more fragile biofilm of Ps. aeruginosa. The more active biofilm of Ps. stutzeri was characterized by higher protein concentration and density. The results demonstrated that the biofilm performance mostly depended on the physiological characteristics of the preponderant organism. Complete nitrate reduction was reached in both biofilms at very low biofilm thickness. Elevated residual nitrite was observed only in the biofilm of Ps. aeruginosa.