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The Adventures ofThe Adventures of
Sludge BugsSludge Bugs
Betsy BetrosBetsy BetrosJohnson County EnvironmentalJohnson County Environmental
DepartmentDepartment
Kansas Water EnvironmentKansas Water EnvironmentAssociationAssociation
Annual MeetingAnnual Meeting
April ! "##$April ! "##$
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Sludge bugsSludge bugs is a fun %ay to refer to theis a fun %ay to refer to themicroorganisms %hich inha&it %aste%atermicroorganisms %hich inha&it %aste%ater
treatment systems'treatment systems'
Sludge bugsSludge bugs include tiny single celledinclude tiny single celledorganisms such as &acteria too small to &eorganisms such as &acteria too small to &eseen individually! to &ig a(uatic earth%orms!seen individually! to &ig a(uatic earth%orms!visi&le to the na)ed eye'visi&le to the na)ed eye'
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Micro&e identificationMicro&e identification
primarily for activatedprimarily for activatedsludge plants'sludge plants'
WWT*s are designedWWT*s are designed
to provideto provide UtopiaUtopia forforsludge &ugs'sludge &ugs'
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Keeping the Bugs +appy,Keeping the Bugs +appy, UtopiaUtopia
All they -as). of us is to provide them plenty ofAll they -as). of us is to provide them plenty of
o/ygen and food and some e/tra nutrition if theo/ygen and food and some e/tra nutrition if the
%aste%ater is a little shy on some'%aste%ater is a little shy on some'
And in turn they eat and eat and eat and &egatAnd in turn they eat and eat and eat and &egat
and &egat and &egat lots more sludge &ugs0and &egat and &egat lots more sludge &ugs0
Happy
BugsUnhappy
Bugs
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1ice to have some micro1ice to have some micro
critters that %ill eat our sh''0critters that %ill eat our sh''0
Keeping the Bugs +appyKeeping the Bugs +appy
isn2t al%ays easy0isn2t al%ays easy0
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Micro5managing3'the sludge0Micro5managing3'the sludge0
6they %on2t mind076they %on2t mind07
8&serve on a routine &asis' 1eed to8&serve on a routine &asis' 1eed to
understand gro%th patterns'understand gro%th patterns'
8nce a %ee) is good'8nce a %ee) is good'
9f pro&lems3may need to do more9f pro&lems3may need to do more
often'often'
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Micro&es! as %ith all living things!Micro&es! as %ith all living things!
%ill live %here they%ill live %here they cancan live'live'
Every species has tolerance limits'Every species has tolerance limits'
*hysical factors,*hysical factors, availa&ility of nutrients!availa&ility of nutrients!temperature! dissolved o/ygen level!temperature! dissolved o/ygen level!to/icity of su&stances! p+! etc'to/icity of su&stances! p+! etc'
Biological factors,Biological factors, availa&ility of foodavaila&ility of foodsource! competition for food! etc'source! competition for food! etc'
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9t2s all a&out ecology, interactions of9t2s all a&out ecology, interactions of
organisms %ith each other and theirorganisms %ith each other and their
environment to provide a sustaina&leenvironment to provide a sustaina&le&iological community'&iological community'
From: Microbiology for Sanitary Engineers, Ross McKinney
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Bacteria are Key to the EfficiencBacteria are Key to the Efficienc
of Waste%ater Treatmentof Waste%ater Treatment Bacteria are not easily identifia&le :ust loo)ing atBacteria are not easily identifia&le :ust loo)ing atthrough a microscope' ;se other micro&es as indicators'through a microscope' ;se other micro&es as indicators'
ing. it &y turning it
into more &acteria3%hich can form floc and &e removedinto more &acteria3%hich can form floc and &e removedfrom the system through settling'from the system through settling'
McKinney and +or%ood discovered in the early ?@#sMcKinney and +or%ood discovered in the early ?@#sthat many &acteria are capa&le of floc formation'that many &acteria are capa&le of floc formation'== Bacteria do not actually -cho%. do%n on foodthey do not have mouths' A molecule of food lines up %ith areactive site on the &ody! and %ith en>ymes! a chun) of the molecule is ta)en into the &ody at a time! until theremaining portion of the molecule is no longer digesti&le'
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When lots of solu&le foodWhen lots of solu&le food
and limited micro&ial life,and limited micro&ial life, Bacteria!Bacteria!phytoflagellatesphytoflagellatesdominate5ta)e indominate5ta)e infood thru cell %alls'food thru cell %alls'
Bacteria reproduceBacteria reproducefast and (uic)ly out5fast and (uic)ly out5compete thecompete theflagellates for theflagellates for thefood'food'
The phytoflagellatesThe phytoflagellatesdie off'die off' •Must have bacterial growth (prey)
before the protooa (pre!ators startup)
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MicroscopesMicroscopes Compound Microscope vs' Stereoscope'Compound Microscope vs' Stereoscope'
Compound, high magnification! light goesCompound, high magnification! light goesthrough sample and image appears flat'through sample and image appears flat'
Stereoscope, lo% magnification! usuallyStereoscope, lo% magnification! usuallyfor vie%ing opa(ue o&:ects! usingfor vie%ing opa(ue o&:ects! using
reflected light! image is dimensionalreflected light! image is dimensional&ecause there are t%o complete sets of&ecause there are t%o complete sets ofoptics for each eye piece'optics for each eye piece'
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Stereo ie%ing5DStereo ie%ing5D
1ot needed for process1ot needed for process
control! &ut get a %holecontrol! &ut get a %hole
different vie% ofdifferent vie% of
micro&es in D'micro&es in D'
Can use transmitted
light or reflected light'
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9mportant eatures of Microscope9mportant eatures of Microscope
;se a microscope %ith;se a microscope %itht%o eyepieces't%o eyepieces'
Mechanical stage'Mechanical stage'
o&:ectives, ?# o&:ectives, ?# F# or similar range'F# or similar range'
8il immersion difficult8il immersion difficultto use %ith %etto use %ith %etmounts'mounts'
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*hase contrast*hase contrast
versus flat fieldversus flat field
*hase contrast is not*hase contrast is not
necessary for muchnecessary for much
routine %or)'routine %or)'
But3it can &e very nice! sinceBut3it can &e very nice! since
can see &ody parts much easier'can see &ody parts much easier'
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Dark Field MicroscopyDark Field Microscopy
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Collect a sample ofCollect a sample of
MGSS'MGSS'
Mi/ Well'Mi/ Well'
*ut ? to " drops on*ut ? to " drops onthe microscopethe microscope
slide'slide'
Using the MicroscopeUsing the Microscope
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4et ;sed to Goo)ing thru4et ;sed to Goo)ing thru
ScopeScope Don2t %orry a&outDon2t %orry a&out
names at first'names at first'
Dra% simple s)etches!Dra% simple s)etches!
ma)e up a name'ma)e up a name'
Goo) for the common ones first'Goo) for the common ones first'
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Develop a %ay to recordDevelop a %ay to record
your o&servations'your o&servations' Actual counts have limited use'Actual counts have limited use'
May&e use a cross &et%een -(uantitative.May&e use a cross &et%een -(uantitative.and -(ualitative'.and -(ualitative'.
e'g' rare! occasional! common'e'g' rare! occasional! common'
ariety of types is more important'ariety of types is more important'
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Goo) at Whole Slide irstGoo) at Whole Slide irst
5under lo% po%er 5under lo% po%er
9s anything movingH9s anything movingH
Are there any filamentsHAre there any filamentsH
Space &et%een floc clearHSpace &et%een floc clearH
What are larger animalsHWhat are larger animalsH
What is the appearance of the sludge, granular! fla)y!What is the appearance of the sludge, granular! fla)y!normal! dar)! lightHnormal! dar)! lightH
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9s it locH9s it locH
loc is made up ofloc is made up of
living and deadliving and dead
&acteria %hich gives&acteria %hich gives
it an -organic. loo)'it an -organic. loo)'
Dirt is made up ofDirt is made up of
minerals %hich givesminerals %hich givesit an -inorganic.it an -inorganic.
loo)'loo)'
Floc
"irt
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9s it locH9s it locH
Dirt, mineralsDirt, minerals
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Appearance of locAppearance of loc
Goo) at under lo%Goo) at under lo%
po%er'po%er'
9s floc %ell59s floc %ell5formedHformedH
9s space &et%een9s space &et%een
floc clearHfloc clearH
9s it -normal. for9s it -normal. for
your plantHyour plantH
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Appearance of locAppearance of loc
8lder sludges may8lder sludges may
&ecome more -dirt5&ecome more -dirt5li)e'.li)e'.
Dar)er! denser'Dar)er! denser'
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Appearance of locAppearance of loc
Type of aeration affects flocType of aeration affects flocsi>e'si>e'
9nade(uate shearing! develops9nade(uate shearing! developsthic)er floc %hich canthic)er floc %hich can
promote filamentous &acterialpromote filamentous &acterialgro%th %hich starts gro%inggro%th %hich starts gro%ingin the anaero&ic insides of thein the anaero&ic insides of thethic)er floc'thic)er floc'
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Appearance of locAppearance of loc
+eavy polymer use+eavy polymer use
can yield oddcan yield oddloo)ing sludge thatloo)ing sludge that
still settles o)ay'still settles o)ay'
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1e/t Goo) at ilaments1e/t Goo) at ilaments
1ot necessary as a1ot necessary as a
-&ac)&one'.-&ac)&one'.
Most sludge %illMost sludge %ill
have some type ofhave some type of
filamentous gro%th'filamentous gro%th'
;sually &acterial';sually &acterial'
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ilaments -%oven. throughilaments -%oven. through
flocculesfloccules
Most sludges %ill tendMost sludges %ill tend
to have these types! &utto have these types! &ut
not often a pro&lem'not often a pro&lem'
*oor shearing of sludge*oor shearing of sludge
&y aeration system! can&y aeration system! can
lead to e/tensivelead to e/tensive
gro%th'gro%th'
Slo%er settling sludge'Slo%er settling sludge'
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ilaments5E/tended from locilaments5E/tended from loc
Most common isMost common isSphaerotilusSphaerotilus! a! afilamentous &acteria'filamentous &acteria'
ilaments &ranching'ilaments &ranching'
Go% o/ygen'Go% o/ygen'
Can gro% in high o/ygen!Can gro% in high o/ygen!if thic) floc'if thic) floc'
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ilaments5ilaments5SphaerotilusSphaerotilus -se%age-se%age
fungus.fungus.
4rossly polluted4rossly polluted
%ater %ays can have%ater %ays can have
e/tensive gro%ths ofe/tensive gro%ths of
SphaerotilusSphaerotilus''
9t is &acteria! not9t is &acteria! not
fungus'fungus'
4reat indicator4reat indicator
organism'organism'
"ar# fiel! illumination, stereoscope$
From a cree# contaminate! with
soft !rin# waste$
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ilaments5E/tended from locilaments5E/tended from loc
*in *oint loc5*in *oint loc5undesira&le!undesira&le!poor settling'poor settling'
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ilaments5E/tended from locilaments5E/tended from loc
Sludge -BBs.Sludge -BBs.
E/tended aeration3E/tended aeration3%inter! reduced aeration!%inter! reduced aeration!resulted in slo% roll'resulted in slo% roll'
Created -BBs. %ithCreated -BBs. %ithfilaments' Anaero&ic infilaments' Anaero&ic in
center of floc'center of floc'
Sun) li)e a roc)'Sun) li)e a roc)'
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ilaments5ree from locilaments5ree from loc
Sulphur &acteria'Sulphur &acteria'
Can see sulphurCan see sulphurgranules in thegranules in the
filaments'filaments'
Serious o/ygenSerious o/ygenpro&lems0pro&lems0
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ilaments5ree from locilaments5ree from loc
1ocardia! a fungus'1ocardia! a fungus'
ree from floc'ree from floc'
Short &ranches'Short &ranches'
Thrives in foam fromThrives in foam fromover5aged sludge %hichover5aged sludge %hichis the &ro%n! greasy type'is the &ro%n! greasy type'
--4reasiness. is the4reasiness. is thepolysaccharide &uildup'polysaccharide &uildup'
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ilaments5ree from locilaments5ree from loc
Dried sludge on microscopeDried sludge on microscopeslide'slide'
SometimesSometimes easier to assesseasier to assess
filaments' Canfilaments' Can
&ac)trac) %hen&ac)trac) %hen
it startingit starting
developing'developing'
"rie! Nocardia
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8ther ilamentous5loo)ing8ther ilamentous5loo)ing
micro&esmicro&es
Cocci chain &acteria'Cocci chain &acteria'
Gots of solu&le food'Gots of solu&le food'
Go% D'8'Go% D'8'
Serious operationalSerious operationalpro&lems0pro&lems0
1 t G ) t th Sl d1 t G ) t th Sl d
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1e/t5Goo) at the Sludge1e/t5Goo) at the Sludge
Bugs3&ut first3is it aBugs3&ut first3is it a
Sludge BugH0Sludge BugH0 9f it is alive! it9f it is alive! it
pro&a&lypro&a&ly %ill move0%ill move0
Air &u&&les! clothAir &u&&les! cloth
fi&ers! dirt! etc' oftenfi&ers! dirt! etc' often
deceive the &eginner'deceive the &eginner'
Air Bu&&le
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9s it a Sludge BugH9s it a Sludge BugH
+uman hair5large strands+uman hair5large strands
Gint5small strands'Gint5small strands'
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9s it a Sludge BugH9s it a Sludge BugH
Toilet paper Toilet paper
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9s it a Sludge BugH9s it a Sludge BugH
Sometimes! :ust %on2t )no% %hat it is0Sometimes! :ust %on2t )no% %hat it is0
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Ma:or 4roups of SludgeMa:or 4roups of Sludge
Bugs,Bugs,*roto>oa!*roto>oa!
Worms!Worms!Iotifers!Iotifers!
Water Bears!Water Bears!
r ri h4astrotrichs
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*roto>oa and 8ther Micro&es*roto>oa and 8ther Micro&es
Easily vie%ed under aEasily vie%ed under amicroscope'microscope'
E/cellent indicatorE/cellent indicator
organisms'organisms'
With practice are fairlyWith practice are fairlyeasily identified'easily identified'
Most feed on &acteria'Most feed on &acteria'
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Goo) at Bigger Goo) at Bigger
8nes to Start 8nes to Start WhyHWhyH
Well''they2re &ig3Well''they2re &ig3
and easier to see0and easier to see0
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T%o Common WormsT%o Common Worms
Iound WormsIound Worms
A(uatic Earth%ormsA(uatic Earth%orms
Round WormsRound Worms
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Round WormsRound Worms 9n WWT* are free59n WWT* are free5
living'living'
Move &y %hippingMove &y %hipping&ody &ac) and forth'&ody &ac) and forth'
Common in activatedCommon in activatedsludge! need goodsludge! need goodD'8'D'8'
Eat chun)s'Eat chun)s'
1ot usually a pro&lem'1ot usually a pro&lem'
1ot segmented'1ot segmented'
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Aquatic Aquatic
EarthwormsEarthworms Gi)e garden %orms5stiff hairs'Gi)e garden %orms5stiff hairs'
Segmented'Segmented'
9ndicator of older sludges'9ndicator of older sludges'
Eat chun)s of floc'Eat chun)s of floc'
Can &e seen in supernate %ithCan &e seen in supernate %iththe na)ed eye'the na)ed eye'
A tiA ti
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Aquatic Aquatic
EarthwormsEarthworms Aelosoma Aelosoma5sometimes5sometimes
common'common'
8range glo&ules id it'8range glo&ules id it'
Aulophorus Aulophorus5for)ed5for)edtail'tail'
The older the sludge!The older the sludge!
the more a(uaticthe more a(uatic
earth%orms'earth%orms'
1ot usually1ot usually
considered a pro&lem'considered a pro&lem'
Aelosoma
Aulophorus
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Water BearsWater Bears
TartigradesTartigrades
Multi5celledMulti5celled
un to %atchun to %atch
+igh survival s)ills0+igh survival s)ills0
Water &ears canWater &ears cansurvive years in asurvive years in adesiccated state anddesiccated state andcan form a cyst state'can form a cyst state'
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Water BearsWater Bears
emales e/pel eggsemales e/pel eggs
into their cuticle thatinto their cuticle that
they shed'they shed' Most species areMost species are
semi5a(uatic'semi5a(uatic'
4enerally! found4enerally! found
more often in oldermore often in oldersludges'sludges'
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4astrotrichs4astrotrichs Ciliated! multi5celled animal'Ciliated! multi5celled animal'
Appear to have a nec)'Appear to have a nec)'
Smooth! gliding typeSmooth! gliding typemovement! usuallymovement! usually
associated %ith a su&strate'associated %ith a su&strate'
Eat &acteria! proto>oa!Eat &acteria! proto>oa!algae'algae'
8nly females )no%n'8nly females )no%n'
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Seed ShrimpsSeed Shrimps
8stracoda8stracoda
8ccasionally seen!8ccasionally seen!not important innot important in
process controlprocess control
evaluation'evaluation'
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IotifersIotifers
Multi5celled animal'Multi5celled animal'
9mportant process9mportant process
control indicators'control indicators'
Many species5a(uaticMany species5a(uatic
and semi5a(uatic! fromand semi5a(uatic! from
the Arctic to Antarctic0the Arctic to Antarctic0
e% males )no%n'e% males )no%n'
T%o ma:or groups'T%o ma:or groups'
hil di
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Iotifers5t%oIotifers5t%o
groupsgroups Bdelliod,Bdelliod,
inch%orm5li)einch%orm5li)e
*loimate, usually*loimate, usually
%ith a shell%ith a shell
Philodina
Platyias
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IotifersIotifers
eed on chun)s of floc'eed on chun)s of floc'
--Wheel animals.Wheel animals.
Cilia on head! pulls food inside'Cilia on head! pulls food inside'
Masta/! food grinder uni(ue to rotifers'Masta/! food grinder uni(ue to rotifers'
I tifI tif
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IotifersIotifers Well run plant'Well run plant'
*lenty of o/ygen'*lenty of o/ygen'
Mere presence doesn2t mean all2s %ell'Mere presence doesn2t mean all2s %ell'
1um&er and condition1um&er and condition
E/t' Aer' *lants tend to have highestE/t' Aer' *lants tend to have highestdiversity'diversity'
Which specific type in plant! might notWhich specific type in plant! might not&e significant'&e significant'
Adineta
I tif f d h ) fI tif f d h ) f
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Iotifers can feed on chun)s ofIotifers can feed on chun)s of
floc3rather than depending on free5floc3rather than depending on free5
s%imming &acteria's%imming &acteria'
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IotifersIotifers
The -inch%orm5The -inch%orm5
type. is capa&le oftype. is capa&le of
forming aforming a
desiccated state todesiccated state tosurvive &ad times!survive &ad times!
particularly lo%particularly lo%
o/ygen'o/ygen'
9mportant indicator'9mportant indicator'
"esiccate! Philodina
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IotifersIotifers
MonostylaMonostyla
8ne foot8ne foot
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Iotifer Iotifer
Cephalodella—Cephalodella—" feet" feet
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Common *roto>oaCommon *roto>oalagellateslagellates
Amoe&aAmoe&a
ree S%immer ree S%immer
Cra%lersCra%lersStal)ed CiliatesStal)ed Ciliates
P t Fl ll t
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Protozoa-FlagellatesProtozoa-Flagellates
(wigglies!(wigglies! Tiny wiggly"Tiny wiggly"
#ery co$$on at startup#ery co$$on at startupand reco%ery"and reco%ery"
&ill always ha%e so$e"&ill always ha%e so$e"
'ots indicate lots o'ots indicate lots o
solu)le ood*they cansolu)le ood*they canco$pete with )acteria atco$pete with )acteria atthat ti$e"that ti$e"
Phyto$astigophora take inPhyto$astigophora take in
ood through their cellood through their cell$e$)rane" +nly co$$on$e$)rane" +nly co$$onwhen lots o ood and ewwhen lots o ood and ew)acteria")acteria"
,oo$astigophora are,oo$astigophora areani$al-like in that theyani$al-like in that theyingest. their oodingest. their ood)acteria")acteria"
&hich type you ha%e/&hich type you ha%e/0eally doesn1t $atter to0eally doesn1t $atter toidentiy"identiy"
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Flagellu$
*roto>oa5lagellates*roto>oa5lagellates
Single cell animals'Single cell animals'
;se a flagellum to;se a flagellum tomove and to &ringmove and to &ringfood into -mouth'.food into -mouth'.
PeranemaPeranema5largest! not5largest! notunusual to have inunusual to have insludge'sludge'
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*roto>oa5lagellates*roto>oa5lagellates
inobryoninobryon!!large! coloniallarge! colonialflagellate'flagellate'
Can s%imCan s%imfreely'freely'
SeenSeenoccasionally'occasionally'
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8ther little %igglies8ther little %igglies
--spirillium. &acteriaspirillium. &acteria
uite visi&le anduite visi&le and
mo&ile'mo&ile'
Gots indicate poorGots indicate poor
conditions5lo%conditions5lo%o/ygen'o/ygen'
*roto>oa Amoe&a*roto>oa Amoe&a
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*roto>oa5Amoe&a*roto>oa5Amoe&a Will al%ays haveWill al%ays have
some'some' Gots more at startupGots more at startup
and recovery'and recovery'
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*roto>oa5*roto>oa5
Amoe&aAmoe&a Move &y pushing outMove &y pushing outcell %all'cell %all'
eed &y engulfing food5eed &y engulfing food5&acteria! algae %ith cell&acteria! algae %ith cell
%all'%all'
Tiny amoe&a5Tiny amoe&a5!ahl"am#ia$ !ahl"am#ia$ if lots! poorif lots! poor
conditions'conditions'
Vahlkamfia
Mayorella
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*roto>oa5*roto>oa5
Amoe&aAmoe&a Shelled amoe&aShelled amoe&a--testate'.testate'.
They actually ma)eThey actually ma)eshells &y cementingshells &y cementing
together tiny sandtogether tiny sand
grains0grains0
Arcella Arcella andand EuglyphaEuglypha
most common'most common'
Euglypha
Arcella
Arcella
S i l tS i l t
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Scanning electronScanning electron
photograph ofphotograph of EuglyphaEuglypha
From: %he &iology of 'rotooa by Michael Sleigh
Ma!e of silica$
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Ciliates5ree S%immer Ciliates5ree S%immer ine hair5li)e cilia forine hair5li)e cilia for
s%imming and foods%imming and foodgathering'gathering'
Can s%im -freely.Can s%im -freely.
thru %ater'thru %ater'
*rimarily feed on free5*rimarily feed on free5s%imming &acteria's%imming &acteria'Some are predaceous'Some are predaceous'
+igh energy needs'+igh energy needs'
Cili t Ciliates ree
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Ciliates5reeCiliates5ree
S%immersS%immers ParameciumParamecium
Iare in activatedIare in activated
sludge'sludge'
Common in tric)lingCommon in tric)ling
filters'filters'
1egatively geotactic01egatively geotactic0
6they %on2t sin)076they %on2t sin)07
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Ciliates5ree S%immersCiliates5ree S%immers
CyclidiumCyclidium
eed on &acteria'eed on &acteria'
Tends to &e moreTends to &e morecommon in poorercommon in poorerconditions'conditions'
C S
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Ciliates5ree S%immersCiliates5ree S%immers
ColepsColeps
Barrel shaped'Barrel shaped'
Move! in a spinningMove! in a spinning
rolling motion! li)e arolling motion! li)e a
foot&all'foot&all'
*redaceous on other*redaceous on other
proto>oa'proto>oa' Sensitive to 1+Sensitive to 1+FFKK andand
free ammonia'free ammonia' 6Bic)76Bic)7
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Ciliates5ree S%immersCiliates5ree S%immers
ChilodenellaChilodenella
•&acteria eater$$note
cytostome$ lso eat !iatoms
an! cyanobacteria$
•ot uncommon even in
well run plants$
•*scrubbrush+Mouth
(2ytosto$e
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Ciliates5ree S%immersCiliates5ree S%immers
ChilodenellaChilodenella
Con:ugation5typeCon:ugation5type
of reproductionof reproduction
C SCili t S i
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Ciliates5ree S%immersCiliates5ree S%immers
%rachelophyllum%rachelophyllum
--&illy clu&!. eat&illy clu&!. eat
&acteria'&acteria'
1ot uncommon1ot uncommon
even in %ell runeven in %ell run
plants'plants'
ery fle/i&le &odies'ery fle/i&le &odies'
Trachelophyllum-mouth on very end
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Ciliates5ree S%immersCiliates5ree S%immers
&itonotus&itonotus! predaceous! predaceous
Litonotus-mouth on side
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Ciliates5ree S%immersCiliates5ree S%immers
Amphileptus Amphileptus
1ote food vacuoles'1ote food vacuoles'
Carnivorous onCarnivorous on
stal)ed ciliates'stal)ed ciliates' 6Bic)76Bic)7
C S
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Ciliates5ree S%immersCiliates5ree S%immers
Colpidium'Colpidium' )idney)idney
shaped'shaped'
eed on &acteria andeed on &acteria and
small flagellates'small flagellates' 6Bic)76Bic)7
9f common! li)ely9f common! li)elyindicating poorerindicating poorer
conditions3especiallyconditions3especially
lo% o/ygen'lo% o/ygen'
Cili C l
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Ciliates5Cra%lersCiliates5Cra%lers
+ave thic) cilia+ave thic) ciliacalled cirri'called cirri'
--Cra%l. overCra%l. over
su&stances'su&stances'
1ot so good at1ot so good ats%imming freely's%imming freely'
9ndicators of9ndicators ofsta&le sludge!sta&le sludge!healthyhealthyconditions'conditions' Cra%lers and free5s%immers %ere lumped in as one
group at the time of this chart3later separated'
Cili t C l
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Ciliates5Cra%lersCiliates5Cra%lers
EuplotesEuplotes
This is one similar toThis is one similar to Aspidisca' Aspidisca' &ut more&ut moreellipsoid in shape'ellipsoid in shape'
Can -gra>e. on &acteriaCan -gra>e. on &acteriaassociated %ith the flocassociated %ith the flocrather than free5s%immingrather than free5s%imming
&acteria'&acteria'
Go%er energy needs thanGo%er energy needs thanfree5s%immer ciliates'free5s%immer ciliates'
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Ciliates5Cra%lersCiliates5Cra%lers
EuplotesEuplotes Predaceous on lagellatesPredaceous on lagellates
algae ciliates )acterialalgae ciliates )acterialcolonies"colonies" (Bick(Bick
Si!e view$ Suctorian having a tasty
Euplotes for lunch$
CiliatesCiliates5
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Ciliates5Ciliates5
Cra%lersCra%lers
Aspidica Aspidica feed onfeed on
&acteria'&acteria'
8ften the most common8ften the most common
along %ith the stal)edalong %ith the stal)ed
ciliate!ciliate! !orticella!orticella! in a! in a
healthy activated sludge'healthy activated sludge'
--ruffles potato chip.ruffles potato chip.
Cili t C lCili t C l
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Ciliates5Cra%lersCiliates5Cra%lers
Aspidisca Aspidisca
Ieproduction viaIeproduction via
cell division'cell division'
Cili t C lCili t C l
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Ciliates5Cra%lersCiliates5Cra%lers
8/ytrichs feed on8/ytrichs feed on
algae! flagellates!algae! flagellates!
and ciliates'and ciliates' 6Bic)76Bic)7
Cili t St l) d Cili tCiliates Stal)ed Ciliates
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Ciliates5Stal)ed CiliatesCiliates5Stal)ed Ciliates
Attached to a su&strate &yAttached to a su&strate &ya -stal)'.a -stal)'.
Cilia on -head. forCilia on -head. for&ringing food into mouth'&ringing food into mouth'All are &acteria feeders'All are &acteria feeders'
;sually indicative of;sually indicative ofhealthy conditions inhealthy conditions in
activated sludge'activated sludge'
Types and condition doTypes and condition dovary %ith activated sludgevary %ith activated sludgeconditions'conditions'
Cili t St l) d Cili tCili t St l) d Cili t
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Ciliates5Stal)ed CiliatesCiliates5Stal)ed Ciliates
T%o ma:or groupscolonial and single'T%o ma:or groupscolonial and single'
Three main groups of colonial stal)edThree main groups of colonial stal)edciliates in activated sludge,ciliates in activated sludge, Epistylis'Epistylis'
(percularia'(percularia' andand Carchesium)Carchesium)
8ne main group of single stal)ed ciliates8ne main group of single stal)ed ciliates
!orticella)!orticella)
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Ciliates5Stal)ed CiliatesCiliates5Stal)ed Ciliates
Cili t St l) d Cili tCili t St l) d Cili t
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Ciliates5Stal)ed CiliatesCiliates5Stal)ed Ciliates
EpistylisEpistylis
Garge colonies'Garge colonies'
Stal)s are non5Stal)s are non5contractile'contractile'
--+eads. are li)e+eads. are li)e!orticella)!orticella)
Cili t St l) d Cili tCili t St l) d Cili t
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Ciliates5Stal)ed CiliatesCiliates5Stal)ed Ciliates
(percularia(percularia
Colonial stal)edColonial stal)ed
ciliate'ciliate'
More common atMore common at
start up andstart up andrecovery'recovery'
Cili t St l) d Cili tCili t St l) d Cili t
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Ciliates5Stal)ed CiliatesCiliates5Stal)ed Ciliates
(percularia(percularia
1ote -cap. on head,1ote -cap. on head,operculate'operculate'
Ciliates5Stal)edCiliates5Stal)ed
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Ciliates5Stal)edCiliates Stal)ed
CiliatesCiliates CarchesiumCarchesium
Contractile stal)! noteContractile stal)! note
-myoneme. %ithin stal)-myoneme. %ithin stal)
%hich provides this%hich provides thisaction'action'
+eads are li)e+eads are li)e EpistylisEpistylis
andand !orticella)!orticella)
4ood sludge conditions'4ood sludge conditions'
Ciliates5Stal)edCiliates5Stal)ed
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Ciliates Stal)edCiliates Stal)ed
CiliatesCiliates !orticella$ !orticella$ stal) canstal) can
contract due tocontract due to-myoneme'.-myoneme'.
ariety of species inariety of species inactivated sludge'activated sludge'
1ote large nucleus'1ote large nucleus'
1ote dots on stal)5this1ote dots on stal)5thisparticular species isparticular species is
!) picta)!) picta)
ti ll f ti ll f
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orticella of poororticella of poor
conditionsconditions TinyTiny !orticella)!orticella)
These aren2tThese aren2t
-&a&y. vorticella2s0-&a&y. vorticella2s0
*oor conditions'*oor conditions'
Stal)ed Ciliates of poorStal)ed Ciliates of poor
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Stal)ed Ciliates of poorStal)ed Ciliates of poor
conditionsconditions
Most stal)ed ciliatesMost stal)ed ciliates
need good o/ygen'need good o/ygen'
Will try to escape ifWill try to escape if
conditions get &ad'conditions get &ad'
orm a -girdle. oform a -girdle. ofcilia'cilia'
Stal)ed Ciliates of poorStal)ed Ciliates of poor
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Stal)ed Ciliates of poorStal)ed Ciliates of poor
conditionsconditions Body detaches fromBody detaches from
stal) %ith a free5stal) %ith a free5s%imming -telotroch.s%imming -telotroch.stage to help it get out ofstage to help it get out ofDodge0Dodge0
1ot indicative so much1ot indicative so muchof to/ic conditions'of to/ic conditions';sually o/ygen55;sually o/ygen55
telotroch needs to timetelotroch needs to timeto form'to form'
Stal)ed Ciliates of poorStal)ed Ciliates of poor
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Stal)ed Ciliates of poorStal)ed Ciliates of poor
conditionsconditions !orticella!orticella reproducingreproducing
&y cell division&y cell division
9f lots3they2re trying9f lots3they2re tryingto get out of Dodge!to get out of Dodge!
too0too0
Stal)ed Ciliates of poorStal)ed Ciliates of poor
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Stal)ed Ciliates of poorStal)ed Ciliates of poor
conditionsconditions
!orticella!orticella can alsocan also
form a -cyst. toform a -cyst. to
survive e/tendedsurvive e/tendedtimes of poortimes of poor
conditions'conditions'
1ote! the stal) is1ote! the stal) is
still attached'still attached'
Ciliates Stal)ed CiliatesCiliates Stal)ed Ciliates
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Ciliates5Stal)ed CiliatesCiliates5Stal)ed Ciliates
Ieproduction isIeproduction isal%ays occurringal%ays occurringand it is only aand it is only a
concern if there isconcern if there isa sudden increase'a sudden increase'
Why it is importantWhy it is important
to o&serve yourto o&serve yourMGSS on a regularMGSS on a regular&asis'&asis'
Epistylis cell dividing
Ciliates Stal)ed CiliatesCiliates Stal)ed Ciliates
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Ciliates5Stal)ed CiliatesCiliates5Stal)ed Ciliates
!aginicola!aginicola hashasa sheatha sheatharound thearound the&ody and does&ody and does
not appear tonot appear tohave a stal)'have a stal)'
4ood4oodconditions'conditions'
Goo) li)e stal)ed ciliates5&utGoo) li)e stal)ed ciliates5&ut
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Goo) li)e stal)ed ciliates &utGoo) li)e stal)ed ciliates &ut
aren2t0aren2t0
SuctoriansSuctorians
eed on other proto>oa'eed on other proto>oa'
This one is feeding on aThis one is feeding on a
vorticella telotroch'vorticella telotroch'
9f lots of proto>oa3lots9f lots of proto>oa3lots
of suctorians'of suctorians'
SuctoriansSuctorians
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SuctoriansSuctorians
• Do have a stal) that
is attached to
su&strate! cannot
contract'
3+ave tentacles
instead of cilia'
3Mostly feed on
ciliates'
4u$erous
suctorians
using an
5pistylis
colony as
thesu)strate!
SummarySummary
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yy
4et to )no% your activated sludge4et to )no% your activated sludgemicro&es'micro&es'
4et use to using your microscope04et use to using your microscope0
8&serve on a regular &asis'8&serve on a regular &asis' Develop a %ay to record o&servations'Develop a %ay to record o&servations'
SummarySummary
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SummarySummary
De%elop a routine way to o)ser%e"De%elop a routine way to o)ser%e" Practice using the $icroscope on a regular )asis"Practice using the $icroscope on a regular )asis"
'ook at known. stu irst like TP dirt"'ook at known. stu irst like TP dirt"
'ook at )ig picture irst"'ook at )ig picture irst"
6ssess the loc condition" 6ssess the loc condition"
6ssess the ila$ents occurrence and type" 6ssess the ila$ents occurrence and type"
'ook at the di%ersity o $icro)es"'ook at the di%ersity o $icro)es"
0ecord your o)ser%ations"0ecord your o)ser%ations" 0elate the$ to the operational status o your plant"0elate the$ to the operational status o your plant"
SummarySummary
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yy
&astewater treat$ent&astewater treat$entis a)out creatingis a)out creatingUtopiaUtopia or the sludgeor the sludge)ugs!)ugs!
SummarySummary
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SummarySummary
Why do %e do thisHWhy do %e do thisH
Don2t %ant to goDon2t %ant to go
out to a cree) orout to a cree) orriver and seeriver and see
scenes li)e this3''scenes li)e this3''
SummarySummary
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yWe %ant clean %aterWe %ant clean %ater
for all3&oth us and thefor all3&oth us and therest of the organismsrest of the organisms
%e share this planet%e share this planet
%ith0%ith0