Quantitative PCR

A quantitative (or "real-time") polymerase chain reaction is a powerful tool for detecting and quantifying microorganisms of interest, even if they can't be measured by traditional plate counts.

Sometimes you just want to track changes in a key microbe that impacts your system performance. You can with qPCR – a quick, sensitive and specific test.

Most wastewater systems misbehave in a consistent fasion - a filament that has been a problem in the past will probably be a problem in the future. With traditional wastewater monitoring tools, it's challenging to detect changes in biomass composition before an upset occurs. qPCR, lets operators operators identify changes and take corrective action before problems are obvious.

Potential Applications

• Monitor levels of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in nitritation-denitritation systems
• Track problematic filaments
• Optimize nitrate dosing for control of sulfur-reducing bacteria in collection systems

Available Tests

• Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria
• Ammonia-oxidizing archaea
• Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria
• Complete ammonia-oxidizing Nitrospira (COMAMMOX)
• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
• Sulfur-reducing bacteria
• Non-filamentous bulking bacteria
• Many filaments, including Thiothrix, Microthrix, Sphaerotilus and others

Customized Testing

Each wastewater system is different – and our knowledge of the microbes involved is expanding rapidly. "Standard" tests aren't always appropriate. Using the data from microbial community analysis, we can develop custom tests appropriate for your system.