ARS | Publication request: Treatment of Solids Thickening Basis Effluent Using Aerobic Reactors

Submitted to: Book of Abstracts Aquaculture America
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: November 1, 2003
Publication Date: February 14, 2003
Citation: Brazil, B.L., Ebeling, J., Summerfelt, S. 2003. Treatment of solids thickening basis effluent using aerobic reactors. Book of Abstracts Aquaculture America.

Technical Abstract: Increasingly stringent aquaculture effluent regulations are requiring facility operators to investigate and implement strategies that result in waste streams characterized by low suspended solids and nutrient concentrations. The primary strategy has been to focus on solids removal as they have been shown to account for much of the phosphorus carried in the waste stream. The removed solids are often held in off-line settling basins where the solids are gravity thickened and eventually disposed. While being stored, solids tend to break down and leach bound nutrients in the resulting supernatant that is discharged. It is expected that the nutrient constituents carried in this secondary waste stream can be readily removed under aerobic treatment conditions. Thus, the results of this study will characterize both the effluent quality following solids thickening and the treatment performance achieved with aerobic digestion. Additionally, the results will help define operational parameters necessary to meet effluent quality requirements.