The characteristics of immobilized granular sludge in the laboratory-scale stable partial nitrification-Anammox aquaculture water reactors

Immobilized granular sludge is of key importance for highly effective operation of partial nitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (PN-Anammox) reactors. An observation and analysis on the composition of immobilized granular sludge in each reactor was conducted by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence in situ hybridization. It was indicated that the diversity of microbial composition was significant among the PN and Anammox reactor. The result shows that the understanding of microbiological characteristics of immobilized granular sludge in PN and Anammox reactors is helpful for cultivating granular sludge, which ensures the effective operation of the reactor.