Effect of high levels of the rotifer Lecane inermis on the ciliate community in laboratory-scale sequencing batch bioreactors (SBRs)

Due to its ability to feed on filamentous bacteria, the rotifer Lecane inermis has already been recognized as a potential control agent of activated sludge bulking, which is usually caused by the excessive growth of filamentous microorganisms. However, their effectiveness depends, in part, on their abundance. We studied the influence of high densities of L. inermis on the protozoan community in activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in 4 laboratory-scale sequencing batch bioreactors (SBRs). Two treatments and two controls were subjected to nutrient removal system in process similar to that used in a WWTP. The experiment lasted 9 days and was repeated in 24-h cycles, including phases of agitation with feeding, aeration and agitation and sedimentation with decantation at the end of the cycle. In total, 32 taxa were identified, among which 25 were ciliated protozoa, 4 were amoebae, 2 were flagellates, and one was a nematode. Rotifers were then introduced to 2 bioreactors at a final concentration of 500 ind. mL−1, and the taxonomic composition and abundance of the activated sludge microfauna were assessed 2, 5 and 8 days thereafter. The mean density of ciliates on the first day of experiment was 12,610 ind. mL−1 and diminished to 4868 ± 432 ind. mL- ± 432 ind. mL−1 in the control and 5496 ± 638 ind. mL−1 in the rotifer-treated group on the last day. Thus, even extremely high densities of artificially introduced rotifers did not negatively affect the protozoan community. On the contrary, the protozoan community was more diverse in the treatment group than in the control.