Bacteria

Evolutionary biology

Microbial population biology

Biology

Engineering

Function (biology)

Microorganism

Biochemical engineering

Geotechnical engineering

Granulation

Environmental science

Genetics

Sewage treatment

Environmental engineering

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS), a self-immobilized microbial consortium containing different functional microorganisms, is receiving growing attention, since it has shown great technological and economical potentials in the field of wastewater treatment. Microbial community is crucial for the formation, stability, and pollutant removal efficiency of aerobic granules. This mini-review systematically summarizes the recent findings of the microbial community structure and function of AGS and discusses the new research progress in the microbial community dynamics during the granulation process and spatial distribution patterns of the microbiota in AGS. The presented information may be helpful for the in-depth theoretical study and practical application of AGS technology in the future.

Microbial community structure and function in aerobic granular sludge