Fouling layer with fractionated extracellular polymeric substances of activated sludge

The soluble microbial products (SMP) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) significantly affect fouling in membrane filtration. This work filtered SMP and fractionated EPS of activated sludge using a 0.45mm filter membrane. The fluorescently labeled stains and confocol laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images in situ visualized the distributions of proteins, £\-polysaccharides, £]-polysaccharides, lipids, total cells, and dead cells of different EPS fractions in the fouling layers. The role of individual SMP and fractionated EPS fractions on membrane fouling was discussed. ? Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.