Replicability of bacterial communities in denitrifying bioreactors as measured by PCR/T-RFLP analysis.

Bioreactors hold great promise for treating graywater in an advanced life support system for space applications. However, questions remain regarding the reproducibility and reliability of biological systems for long-term use. Although there have been numerous studies on ground-based biological systems, most studies focus on a single reactor or a simple (single carbon) waste stream.

Spatial distribution of total, ammonia-oxidizing, and denitrifying bacteria in biological wastewater treatment reactors for bioregenerative life support.

Bioregenerative life support systems may be necessary for long-term space missions due to the high cost of lifting supplies and equipment into orbit. In this study, we investigated two biological wastewater treatment reactors designed to recover potable water for a spacefaring crew being tested at Johnson Space Center. The experiment (Lunar-Mars Life Support Test Project-Phase III) consisted of four crew members confined in a test chamber for 91 days.