ISSN:
1574-6941
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
The microbial community composition and activity was investigated in aggregates from a lab-scale bioreactor, in which nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal occurred simultaneously. The biomass was highly enriched for polyphosphate accumulating organisms facilitating complete removal of phosphorus from the bulk liquid; however, some inorganic nitrogen still remained at the end of the reactor cycle. This was ascribed to incomplete coupling of nitrification and denitrification causing 〈inlineGraphic alt="inline image" href="urn:x-wiley:01686496:FEM329:FEM_329_mu1" location="equation/FEM_329_mu1.gif"/〉 accumulation. After 2 h of aeration, denitrification was dependent on the activity of nitrifying bacteria facilitating the formation of anoxic zones in the aggregates; hence, denitrification could not occur without simultaneous nitrification towards the end of the reactor cycle. Nitrous oxide was identified as a product of denitrification, when based on stored PHA as carbon source. This observation is of critical importance to the outlook of applying PHA-driven denitrification in activated sludge processes.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.femsec.2004.11.011
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