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Updated: Sep 17, 2025

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
Mechanistic insights into nitrogen source influence on microalgal-bacterial granular sludge: Community dynamics and
Yuting Shi1, Shicheng Zuo2, Ziqi Zhang2
1Department of Water and Wastewater Engineering, School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China; Hubei Key Laboratory for Efficient Utilization and Agglomeration of Metallurgic Mineral Resources, School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, China.
Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of nitrogen sources (different ammonia and urea compositions) on pollutant removal, microbial evolution and function in the MBGS system. Results showed that a higher ammonia proportion significantly enhanced the total nitrogen removal during the initial 7 days of operation compared with urea (p < 0.05). However, this nitrogen source-dependent effect adapted and diminished during the subsequent 14 days (p > 0.05). Microbial analysis revealed that urea enriched Proteobacteria (specifically Alphaproteobacteria including Roseomonas), while ammonia stimulated Firmicutes (specifically Clostridia including Acetoanaerobium), Betaproteobacteria, and Cyanophyceae. Metagenomic analysis identified that Alphaproteobacteria played dominant roles in the key genes (ureA/B/C, GLUD, and gltB) involved in nitrogen metabolism. The robust correlation between nitrogen source composition and microbial population dynamics underscores the self-regulating capacity of the MBGS system. These comprehensive findings demonstrate the excellent adaptability of the MBGS to varying nitrogen compositions through microbial community regulation.
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