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Sulfide addition accelerates anammox sludge granulation and promotes microbial cooperation
Tong Wang1, Han Wang1, Zibin Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
Water Research
|October 17, 2024
Summary
Sulfide addition improves granular anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) sludge properties by promoting sludge diameter and heme c content. This enhances nitrogen removal efficiency and system robustness in wastewater treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Wastewater Treatment Engineering
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Granular anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) systems offer efficient nitrogen removal with environmental stress tolerance.
- Sulfide addition can enhance nitrogen removal through sulfur denitrification, but its impact on anammox sludge properties is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of varying sulfide concentrations on the morphological and microbial properties of anammox granular sludge.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which sulfide influences sludge characteristics and nitrogen removal performance.
Main Methods:
- Long-term experiments were conducted using anammox systems with controlled sulfide additions (10-100 mg/L).
- Sludge morphology (diameter) and biochemical indicators (heme c content) were analyzed.
- Microbial community structure and metabolic functions were assessed.
- Nitrogen removal efficiency and sludge tolerance to environmental stress were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Low sulfide concentrations (S/N molar ratio of 0.18-0.50) significantly increased sludge diameter (25-175%) and heme c concentration (75-95%).
- Sulfide stimulated extracellular polymeric substance secretion, biogenic sulfur accumulation, and filamentous bacteria growth.
- A robust microbial community with dominant anammox bacteria (Candidatus_Brocadia) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus) was established.
- Nitrogen removal efficiency exceeded 95% in the sulfide-mediated system.
Conclusions:
- Sulfide addition, particularly at low concentrations, effectively improves the morphological properties of anammox granular sludge.
- Sulfide creates a favorable niche for functional microorganisms, enhancing the efficiency and robustness of the anammox process.
- The synergistic interaction between anammox and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in sulfide-mediated systems is key to high nitrogen removal performance.
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