Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
Challenges for simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus removal in microbial aggregates: mass
Rikke Louise Meyer1, Raymond Jianxiong Zeng, Valerio Giugliano
1Advanced Wastewater Management Centre, The University of Queensland, Building 64A, Research Road, Qld 4072, Australia. rikke.meyer@awmc.uq.edu.au
Abstract:
The microbial community composition and activity was investigated in aggregates from a lab-scale bioreactor, in which nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal occurred simultaneously. The biomass was highly enriched for polyphosphate accumulating organisms facilitating complete removal of phosphorus from the bulk liquid; however, some inorganic nitrogen still remained at the end of the reactor cycle. This was ascribed to incomplete coupling of nitrification and denitrification causing NO(3)(-) accumulation. After 2 h of aeration, denitrification was dependent on the activity of nitrifying bacteria facilitating the formation of anoxic zones in the aggregates; hence, denitrification could not occur without simultaneous nitrification towards the end of the reactor cycle. Nitrous oxide was identified as a product of denitrification, when based on stored PHA as carbon source. This observation is of critical importance to the outlook of applying PHA-driven denitrification in activated sludge processes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Wastewater Treatment
Bioreactor Controls-II
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
Scale-Up Processes

