Structure of cake layer in a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor

► Micro-tome slicing technique, when combined with other tools, is a promising tool to provide a spatial distribution of physical, chemical and microbiological structure of cake layers. ► Cake layers have a loose outer surface when compared to bottom layer. ► Physical and chemical structure change significantly along the depth of cake layer. ► Microbial population density changes along the cake layer depth.