The APERG program is funded by the Reuben and Alice Wasser A.P.C. Education and Research Charitable Remainder Unitrust.
2002 APERG Scholar: Dr. Yen-Chih Chen
Bucknell University
Project Title: Mechanistic Study of Microbial Mediated Odor Production of Wastewater Biosolids
Abstract
Land application of biosolids is an environmentally friendly, viable means of managing the residuals from wastewater treatment. This form of management results in the recycling of nutrients and organics that enhance the properties of the soil for agriculture use and land reclamation. For many wastewater treatment plants in the United States, the viability of land application is at a risk because of poor product quality resulting in unpleasant odors. Volatile sulfur compounds resulting from microbially mediated degradation of biosolid proteins is believed to be one of the main causes of odor production. However, limited efforts were performed on the study of the mechanisms of odor production in biosolids. This project objective are to determine the mechanisms of odor production in biosolids and to use novel molecular techniques to identify microorganisms involving in odor production during wastewater treatment processes and. The results are expected to be beneficial to the technology development for odor control.
