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Published on: January 31, 2025
Discharge strategy modulates microbial cooperation and nitrogen cycling in composite carbon-based tidal flow wetlands
Tianfu Yang1, Ao Xu1, Zheng Huang1
1Centre for Urban Environmental Remediation, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, 100044, China; Beijing Energy Conservation & Sustainable Urban and Rural Development Provincial and Ministry Co-construction Collaboration Innovation Center, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, 100044, China.
None:
Tidal flow constructed wetland (TFCW) cannot effectively remove excess nitrogen from municipal effluent under carbon-limited conditions. By adding a novel slow-release carbon source to TFCW, carbon utilization can be significantly accelerated, stimulating enhanced nitrogen transformation within the system. However, how HRT and discharge strategies shape the microenvironment-and in turn affect microbial processes, nitrogen cycling, and greenhouse gas emissions-remains poorly understood. Building upon previous research, this study investigated the impacts of different HRT and discharge modes on water quality characteristics and microbial community dynamics in TFCW equipped with a slow-release carbon source (BCP). Over 150 tidal cycles, TFCW performance and its influence on microbial ecology were evaluated. Results showed that the system operating at a 24-h HRT combined with full discharge achieved the highest TN removal efficiency (92.70%). This was primarily attributed to enhanced reoxygenation capacity, improved carbon utilization, and plant uptake, which synergistically promoted nitrification-denitrification processes. Microbial activity was more uniform, with key denitrifying enzymes (Nar, Nir) and electron transport system activity synergistically enhanced. High-throughput sequencing revealed Denitratisoma (1.55%) and Nitrospira (0.94%) involved in the cooperative removal of nitrate and ammonium. Correlation and redundancy analyses identified COD and DO as key drivers of microbial community assembly and function (rd ≥ 0.4). Overall, optimizing HRT and discharge strategies can effectively regulate microbial interactions and enhance nitrogen removal for TFCW with BCP. These findings provide new theoretical insights and practical guidance for the engineering design and operational management of advanced treatment systems for urban tailwater.
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