ASSESSMENT OF MICROBIAL POPULATIONS IN ACTIVATED SLUDGE USING AN ORGANISM DIVERSITY INDEX

An organism diversity index for use with mixed liquor or wastewater samples was developed to assess the species richness and diversity of activated sludge. Two bench-scale and two pilot-scale studies found that the resulting organism diversity index value was a good indicator of process performance. The technique rapidly yielded pertinent information about the health of the sludge and can be used for wastewater treatment plan process control.