Anaerobic methane oxidation drives simultaneous nitrite and nitrous oxide removal
Xin Tan1, Wen-Bo Nie2, Yang Lu3
1State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Water Research Centre, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.
Bioresource Technology
|February 18, 2025
Summary
Denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) processes can now remove nitrous oxide (N2O) alongside nitrite. This breakthrough utilizes methane as an electron donor, enhancing wastewater treatment and greenhouse gas reduction.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Wastewater Treatment Technologies
- Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
Background:
- Denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) is crucial for nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment.
- The capacity of DAMO processes to remove nitrous oxide (N2O) has been largely unexplored.
- Sustainable wastewater treatment requires addressing multiple pollutants, including greenhouse gases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the simultaneous removal of nitrite and N2O using DAMO processes.
- To identify the microbial communities and metabolic pathways involved in N2O removal.
- To assess the potential of DAMO-centric technologies for greenhouse gas reduction.
Main Methods:
- Long-term incubation of DAMO processes with methane as the electron donor.
- Monitoring of nitrite and N2O concentrations.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze microbial community structure.
- Metabolic profiling to elucidate biochemical pathways.
Main Results:
- High and stable removal of both nitrite and N2O was achieved.
- Candidatus Methylomirabilis dominated the microbial community throughout the process.
- Microorganisms with complete denitrification pathways coexisted and thrived.
- Synergistic interactions facilitated methane-driven anaerobic oxidation for simultaneous nitrite and N2O reduction.
Conclusions:
- DAMO processes are effective for simultaneous nitrite and N2O removal.
- Methane or its intermediates provide electrons for N2O reduction, demonstrating process flexibility.
- DAMO-centric technologies show significant potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in wastewater treatment.
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