'Nitrification kinetics and microbial community dynamics of attached biofilm in wastewater treatment'

A comparative bench-scale and field site analysis of BioCord was conducted to investigate seasonal microbial community dynamics and its impact on nitrogen removal in wastewater. This was assessed using metabolite (NO₃ ^-) stable isotope analysis, high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, and RT-qPCR of key genes in biological treatment representing nitrification, anammox, and denitrification. Bench-scale experiments showed an increase in nitrifiers with increasing ammonia loading resulting in an ammonia removal efficiency up to 98 ± 0.14%. Stable isotope analysis showed that ¹⁵ɛ and δ¹⁸O_NO3 could be used in monitoring the efficiency of the enhanced biological nitrification. In the lagoon field trials, an increase in total nitrogen promoted three principle nitrifying genera (Nitrosomonas, Nitrospira, Candidatus Nitrotoga) and enhanced the expression of denitrification genes (nirK, norB, and nosZ). Further, anaerobic ammonia oxidizers were active within BioCord biofilm. Even at lower temperatures (2-6°C) the nitrifying bacteria remained active on the BioCord.