Review article

The paper presents the results of studies of the biomass development dynamics during the operation of a biofilter with plastic loading in the periodic mode of wastewater supply. Changes in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the biofilter biomass during the process depending on its age and load on organic pollution are considered. It is noted that after the stationary phase of biomass development, there starts an intensive removal of excess biofilm from the biofilter, which is due to the loss of its attachment functions as wastewater is treated. During periodic experiments, the activity and growth rate of the biofilm decreased due to increasing nutritional deficiencies, and the biomass ash content gradually increased due to its self-oxidation (autolysis). Biofilm activity and ash content values were related to the depth of wastewater treatment on the biofilter and can serve as indicative parameters of this process.