Results from the multi-species benchmark problem (BM3) using one-dimensional models

The IWA's Biofilm Modeling Task Group created a multi-species benchmark problem in which heterotrophic bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, and inert biomass coexist in a biofilm. Members of the Task Group submitted solutions from nine different one-dimensional models. The most important distinctions among the models were (1) whether the model required a full numerical solution or was solved with a spreadsheet, and (2) the way the biomass types were distributed in the biofilm. The models that protected the slow-growing species by having them accumulate away from the outer surface always had the largest surface coverage by nitrifiers and inerts, but the heterotroph coverage declined to compensate. Coverage by heterotrophs and removal of substrate COD were most strongly affected by dilution from nitrifiers and inerts near the outer surface. Models that did not allow the nitrifiers and inerts to dilute the heterotrophs significantly in the outer layer predicted more removal of COD than did the other models. The choice of the model to use depends on the user's needs and the relative importance of including protection of slow-growing species and/or dilution of fast-growing species.