Predominant Bacteria in an Activated Sludge Reactor for the Degradation of Cutting Fluids

Abstract

For the first time, an activated sludge reactor, established for the degradation of cutting fluids, was examined for predominant bacteria. In addition, both total and viable numbers of bacteria in the reactor were determined so that the percentage of each predominant type in the total reactor population could be determined. Three samples were studied, and a total of 15 genera were detected. In each sample, the genus Pseudomonas and the genus Microcyclus were present in high numbers. Three other genera, Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes , and Corynebacterium , were also found in every sample but in lower numbers. In one sample, numerous appendaged bacteria were present, and one of these, the genus Seliberia , was the most predominant organism in that sample. However, in the other two samples no appendaged bacteria were detected. Six genera were found in this reactor which have not been previously reported in either cutting fluids in use or in other activated sludge systems. These genera were Aeromonas, Hyphomonas, Listeria, Microcyclus, Moraxella , and Spirosoma. None of the predominant bacteria belonged to groups of strict pathogens.