Biological nitrate removal from water and wastewater by solid-phase denitrification process
1Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Technology, INET, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China; State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Radioactive Waste Treatment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
Biotechnology Advances
|July 12, 2016
Summary
Solid-phase denitrification uses biodegradable polymers to remove nitrate pollution from water. This emerging technology offers a promising, cost-effective solution for cleaner water sources worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Water Treatment Engineering
Background:
- Nitrate pollution is a global environmental problem impacting water quality.
- Solid-phase denitrification is an emerging technology utilizing biodegradable polymers as carbon sources and biofilm carriers.
- Various natural and synthetic biopolymers are effective for denitrification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of solid-phase denitrification for nitrate removal.
- To evaluate carbon sources, influencing factors, microbial communities, adverse effects, and costs.
- To highlight the potential of this technology for diverse water and wastewater applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and evaluation of existing studies on solid-phase denitrification.
- Analysis of different biodegradable polymers (e.g., woodchips, PHA, PCL) as denitrification media.
- Assessment of microbial communities, influencing factors, and cost-effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Woodchips and polycaprolactone (PCL) are identified as popular and competitive materials.
- Comamonadaceae (Betaproteobacteria), particularly genera like Diaphorobacter, Acidovorax, and Simplicispira, dominate the denitrifying microbial communities.
- The process is effective for various water types, including drinking water, groundwater, and wastewater.
Conclusions:
- Solid-phase denitrification is a promising technology for effective nitrate removal from water and wastewater.
- Future research should focus on simultaneous removal of contaminants and understanding microbial-substrate interactions.
- Optimization for municipal secondary effluent treatment is recommended.
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