01903nas a2200169   4500008004100000245009000041210006900131300001200200490000700212520137300219653002901592100002401621700001801645700001601663700001501679856003901694       2002                        eng d00aAn integrated approach to analyse biofilms of a full scale wastewater treatment plant0 aintegrated approach to analyse biofilms of a full scale wastewat  a199-2060 v463 aA rotating biological contactor (RBC) system operating in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant has been described by several approaches accounting for performance, composition and structure of biofilms in three stages through biological wastewater treatment (RBC1, RBC 2, RBC 3). RBC biofilms were effective in removing the BOD loading from 13 g BOD5 d(-1) m(-2) in RBC 1 to 6 g BOD5 d(-1) m(-2) in RBC 3. Analysis of biofilm composition showed: 1) the volatile solids were similar in the three RBCs (0.6 g m(-2) VS per g m(-2) of TS); ii) the protozoan and metazoan biocenosis was mainly made up of ciliated protozoa, which were most abundant in RBC 2 (1.84 x 10(6) ciliates g(-1) VS). Relationship between ciliate species and physical-chemical profile of the system by cluster analysis indicated that the species Acineria uncinata, Amphileptus punctatus, Cinetochilum margaritaceum and Holosticha mancoidea were associated with the best RBC performance; iii) the exopolymeric matrix of the three RBC biofilms was mainly constituted by proteins, although humic substances, polysaccharides, uronic acids and DNA were also found. Analysis of biofilm structure by confocal microscopy indicated changes in biofilm organisation with depth. Results have been brought together and a graphic representation of the composition and architecture of RBC biofilms is presented.10aAnteholosticha mancoidea1 aMartin-Cereceda, M.1 aPérez-Uz, B.1 aSerrano, S.1 aGuinea, A.  u<Go to ISI>://WOS:000177989100032 