A comparison of endogenous processes during anaerobic starvation in anaerobic end sludge and aerobic end sludge from an anaerobic/anoxic/oxic sequencing batch reactor performing denitrifying phosphorus removal

► PHB played an important role in the energy production for the maintenance of anaerobic end DPAOs. ► The decay rate of the DPAOs was higher for the aerobic end sludge than for the anaerobic end sludge. ► A new biochemical transformation model for DPAOs was proposed when undergoing starvation period.