Lying phenotypic fingerprinting in the management of wastewater treatment systems

Carbon substrate utilization profiles, phenotypic fingerprints, of microbial communities from different pulp and paper effluent treatment systems are being determined using Biolog plates. The substrates from the Biolog GN plates that were deemed to be most significant in differentiating between communities are being employed as substrate panels on Biolog MT plates. Correlative microbiological tests including FAME analysis, heterotrophic plate counts, and epifluorescent microscopy are performed on the samples. By correlating the phenotypic fingerprints to pulp and paper mill processes and operation parameters in the treatment systems, the carbon substrate utilization profile has shown potential as a useful management tool.