Optimal cultivation and characteristics of aerobic granules with typical domestic sewage in an alternating anaerobic/aerobic sequencing batch reactor

► High sludge concentration and low sludge loading are firstly used for the reactor start-up. ► The initial granules play a key role by controlling sludge concentration and sludge loading. ► The alternating anaerobic/aerobic operation mode benefits the removal TN, TP, and formation of aerobic granules. ► The DGGE fingerprint proves the effectiveness of optimization measures.