Digital image analysis to estimate the influence of sodium dodecyl sulphate on activated sludge floes

摘要

The results of a quantitative description of activated sludge floes exposed to anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) are presented. Image analysis procedures are applied to measure the morphological parameters of activated sludge floes. Surfactant influenced sludge floes properties even at low concentration from 2.5 to 25 mg L~(-1). Mean projected area of floes decreased by about 30% at SDS concentrations from 2.5 to 25 mg L~(-1) and by about 60% at concentrations from 250 to 2500 mg L~(-1). The decrease of sludge floes dimensions deteriorates their settleability. Additionally, a linear correlation between total suspended solids (TSS) and mean projected area was found within the duration of the biodegradation process.