Beggiatoa

The clearly visible sulphur deposits and gliding movement are characteristic and preclude confusion with other species. Indicator organism for insufficient ventilation or input of sludge water.

Morphology:

Filament position:	free in water outside flake
Branching:	none
Movement:	gliding
Growth habit:	straight / slightly curved
Aufwuchs:	absent
Constrictions:	none
Sheath:	absent
Transverse walls:	occasionally visible
Cell form:	rectangular / square
Length of filaments:	variable
Filament diameter:	1.5 – 2.5 µm
Gram staining:	negative
Neisser staining:	negative

Factors promoting growth:

decaying sewage
lack of oxygen
high concentration of organic acids and primary alcohols

Countermeasures:

improving the oxygen supply
ventilation of available mixing and equalisation tanks
dosage with ferrous precipitants (FERRACLAR CLASSIC, FERRAPLUS, Contisolf, Contisolf Winter)

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