Jun 11, 2026
Bioprospecting for Better Biology: How Aster Bio Discovers Wastewater Treatment Organisms
Wastewater treatment plants are living ecosystems. When they run well, it’s because the right microbial communities are present, balanced, and active. At Aster Bio, our R&D team studies these ecosystems …
Jun 7, 2026
When Lagoons Heat Up: Why Summer Brings Ammonia Spikes, Algae Blooms, and Odors
Summer heat flips lagoon biology into a completely different operating mode — and that shift drives nutrient release from sludge, ammonia spikes, algae blooms, and odor episodes. The root cause …
Mar 30, 2026
Attached vs. Suspended Growth: How Biomass Retention Really Shapes Process Performance
A clear difference between MBBR (attached‑growth) and suspended‑growth activated sludge is how much living biomass each system can maintain—and how that living fraction behaves under real operating conditions. The contrast …
Mar 23, 2026How fast do nitrifiers really grow?
If you’ve ever wondered why Nitrite spikes show up during startup—or why hot summers can throw your system off—you’re really asking about one thing: replication rates. Nitrosomonas (AOB) and Nitrospira …
Mar 17, 2026Spirillum in Wastewater: What These Spiral Bacteria Reveal About Your System’s Health
When you look at activated sludge under the microscope, you usually focused on the big players— metazoa, protozoa, floc size/density, and the filamentous organisms that can make or break settling …
Mar 10, 2026Loosely Bound vs. Tightly Bound EPS: Why the “Glue” of Your Floc Determines Settling and Compaction
In every activated sludge system, the quality of your solids handling comes down to one thing: how well your biomass sticks together. Operators often focus on filaments, MLSS, or clarifier …
Mar 2, 2026Spring Algae Blooms in Wastewater Polishing Ponds: Prevention & Control
Spring algae blooms are a familiar challenge for many wastewater treatment facilities that operate polishing ponds—also known as maturation, tertiary, or finishing lagoons. These shallow systems follow secondary treatment and …
Feb 17, 2026Most Common Filamentous Bacteria in Wastewater Treatment – Quick Reference Table
Filamentous Organism Common Problem(s) Primary Causes / Selectors Notes / Typical Conditions Microthrix parvicella Bulking + Foaming Low temperature (
Feb 10, 2026The role of Paracoccus sp. in wastewater treatment – performing a vital role in improving treatment efficiency
Wastewater treatment professionals are increasingly leveraging microbial community analysis to optimize plant performance. Among the diverse microbial genera present, Paracoccus stands out for its multifaceted contributions to nitrogen and sulfur …
Jan 29, 2026What Causes Deflocculation in Biological Wastewater Treatment?
Deflocculation is one of those operational problems that can turn a perfectly healthy activated sludge system into a cloudy, turbid mess. Instead of forming tight, settleable flocs, biomass disperses into …
Jan 20, 2026The Nitrogen Cycle: A Guide to ANAMMOX, SND, and COMAMMOX
For decades, wastewater treatment has relied on the traditional “Bardenpho” approach: Nitrification followed by Denitrification. While reliable, this process is energy-intensive and often requires costly external carbon sources. As we …
Jan 15, 20264 Biological Wastewater Treatment Myths Holding Your Plant Back
We’re breaking down common misconceptions about activated sludge, nitrification, and process control that might be costing you money and stability. As wastewater professionals, we operate at the intersection of rigorous …