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Project Code [2001-LS-FW2-M1]

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Project title

Biological Approaches to Nutrient Removal in the Irish Food Sector

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Cork (UCC)

Lead Applicant

Alan Dobson

Project Abstract

This project set out to examine the use of biological-basedapproaches to facilitate the removal of nutrientsparticularly phosphates from food processing wastestreams. The work aimed to develop biologicalmanagement procedures incorporating molecular-basedmethodologies to assess the performance of biologicalnutrient removal (BNR) systems treating these foodwastes. To this end culture-independent molecularbasedapproaches have been employed to show that inlaboratory-scale enhanced biological phosphate removal(EBPR) processes significant changes in the overallmicrobial community structures can be linked to a failureto efficiently remove phosphate. From this work itappears that the key factors that influence decreases inphosphate removal efficiency are likely to be changes inthe influent composition and in particular the quality andquantity of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). While furtherwork will need to be undertaken it appears that the controlof influent quality may be a key factor to aid in thesuccessful removal of phosphate by EPBR systems andfailure to ensure sufficient levels of SCFAs may be acontributory factor in their malfunctioning.

Grant Approved

�350,683.00

Research Hub

Green and Circular Economy

Research Theme

Waste and Resources Management

Start Date

01/07/2002

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a