Nitrogen removal performance and microbial characteristics during simultaneous chemical phosphorus removal process
Xiao Huang1, Kai Yao2, Jianghua Yu2
1Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Water Resources Utilization and Environmental Pollution Control, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China.
Iron (Fe3+) addition enhanced ammonia nitrogen removal but hindered denitrification in wastewater treatment. It also altered microbial communities, increasing nitrifying bacteria while decreasing denitrifying and phosphorus-removing bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Water Treatment Engineering
Background:
- Simultaneous chemical phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) removal is crucial for wastewater treatment.
- Understanding the impact of iron (Fe3+) on microbial communities is essential for optimizing N removal processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Fe3+ on nitrogen removal efficiency and microbial characteristics.
- To analyze changes in microbial community structure and metabolic pathways under Fe3+ influence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for simultaneous P and N removal.
- Analyzed microbial community composition and abundance of key functional bacteria.
- Assessed changes in sludge properties and nitrification-related enzyme gene expression.
Main Results:
- Fe3+ promoted ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) removal but inhibited the overall denitrification process.
- Increased sludge particle size (D50) and biomass per particle were observed.
- Abundances of denitrifying and biological phosphorus-removing bacteria decreased, while nitrifying bacteria increased.
Conclusions:
- Fe3+ addition positively impacts nitrification but negatively affects denitrification efficiency.
- Alterations in microbial community structure, particularly the decrease in denitrifying bacteria, contribute to reduced denitrification.
- Fe3+ influences interspecific relationships within microbial communities, impacting nitrogen removal pathways.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Affecting Solubility
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Coagulation
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
The Phosphorus Cycle


