Strategic enrichment of ammonia-oxidizing archaea biofilms coupled with process optimization for mitigating N2O
Wenzhen Guan1, Yifeng Xu2, Shengjun Li2
1Key Laboratory of Green Utilization of Critical Non-metallic Mineral Resources, Ministry of Education, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China; Shenzhen Research Institute of Wuhan University of Technology, Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China.
Abstract:
Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are pivotal in nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from wastewater systems, though their N2O production mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, AOA-enriched biofilm consortia (58% Candidatus Nitrosocosmicus) were rapidly formed under antibiotic stress. Systematic investigations were conducted to evaluate the impacts of carrier filling ratios (15%, 30%, 60%) and oxygen levels (0.4%, 4.2%, 10.5%, 21%) on N2O production by AOA in biofilm systems. Batch experiments revealed an inverse correlation between oxygen level and N2O emission and demonstrated that 30% filling ratio exhibited the lowest emission factor compared to 15% and 60%. Optimal performance was achieved under 21% oxygen level combined with a 30% filling ratio, yielding a minimal N2O emission factor (0.01%). Adequate oxygen ensured ammonia oxidation completely, while optimal filling ratio allowed uniform substrate transfer and oxygen diffusion. This study will shed new light on greenhouse gas mitigation in biofilm-based wastewater systems.
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