Bio-reduction of nitrate from groundwater using a hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor

A hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor(MBfR) using H2 as electron donor was investigated to remove nitrate from groundwater.When nitrate was first introduced to the MBfR,denitrification took place on the shell side of the membranes immediately,and the effluent concentration of nitrate continuously decreased with 100% removal rate on day 45 under the influent nitrate concentration of 5 mg NO3--N/L,which described the acclimating and enriching process of autohydrogenotrophic denitrification bacteria.A series of short-term experiments were applied to investigate the effects of hydrogen pressures and nitrate loadings on denitrification.The results showed that nitrate reduction rate improved as H2 pressure increasing,and over 97% of total nitrogen removal rate was achieved when the nitrate loading increased from 0.17 to 0.34 g NO3--N/(m2 ·day) without nitrite accumulation.The maximum denitrification rate was 384 g N/(m3 ·day).Partial sulfate reduction,which occurred in parallel to nitrate reduction,was inhibited by denitrififcation due to the competition for H2 .This research showed that MBfR is effective for removing nitrate from the contaminated groundwater.     

Effects of cathode potentials and nitrate concentrations on dissimilatory nitrate reductions by Pseudomonas alcaliphila in bioelectrochemical systems

The effects of cathode potentials and initial nitrate concentrations on nitrate reduction in bio- electrochemical systems （BESs） were reported. These factors could partition nitrate reduction between denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium （DNRA）. Pseudomonas alcaliphilastrain MBR utilized an electrode as the sole electron donor and nitrate as the sole electron acceptor. When the cathode potential was set from -0.3 to -I.1 V （vs. Ag/AgC1） at an initial nitrate concentration of 100 mg NO~-N/L, the DNRA electron recovery increased from （10.76 ± 1.6）% to （35.06 ± 0.99）%; the denitrification electron recovery decreased from （63.42 ± 1,32）% to （44.33 ± 1.92）%. When the initial nitrate concentration increased from （29.09 ± 0.24） to （490.97 ± 3.49） mg NO3-N/L at the same potential （-0.9 V）, denitrification electron recovery increased from （5.88 ± 1.08）% to （50.19 ±2.59）%; the DNRA electron recovery declined from （48.79 ±1.32）% to （16.02 ± 1.41）%. The prevalence of DNRA occurred at high ratios of electron donors to acceptors in the BESs and denitrification prevailed against DNRA under a lower ratio of electron donors to acceptors. These results had a potential application value of regulating the transformation of nitrate to N2 or ammonium in BESs for nitrate removal.     

Optimization and evaluation of a bottom substrate denitrification tank for nitrate removal from a recirculating aquaculture system

A bottom substrate denitrification tank for a recirculating aquaculture system was developed. The laboratory scale denitrification tank was an 8 L tank (0.04 m2 tank surface area), packed to a depth of 5 cm with a bottom substrate for natural denitrifying bacteria. An aquarium pump was used for gentle water mixing in the tank; the dissolved oxygen in the water was maintained in aerobic conditions (e.g. > 2 mg/L) while anoxic conditions predominated only at the bottom substrate layer. The results showed that, among the four substrates tested (soil, sand, pumice stone and vermiculite), pumice was the most preferable material. Comparing carbon supplementation using methanol and molasses, methanol was chosen as the carbon source because it provided a higher denitrification rate than molasses. When methanol was applied at the optimal COD:N ratio of 5:1, a nitrate removal rate of 4591 ± 133 mg-N/m2 tank bottom area/day was achieved. Finally, nitrate removal using an 80 L denitrification tank was evaluated with a 610 L recirculating tilapia culture system. Nitrate treatment was performed by batch transferring high nitrate water from the nitrification tank into the denitrification tank and mixing with methanol at a COD:N ratio of 5:1. The results from five batches of nitrate treatment revealed that nitrate was successfully removed from water without the accumulation of nitrite and ammonia. The average nitrate removal efficiency was 85.17% and the average denitrification rate of the denitrification tank was 6311 ± 945 mg-N/m2 tank bottom area/day or 126 ± 18 mg-N/L of pumice packing volume/day.     

Coupled relationships among anammox, denitrification, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium along salinity gradients in a Chinese estuarine wetland

Salinization in estuarine wetlands significantly alters the balance between their nitrogen (N) removal and retention abilities but these processes have not yet been characterized effectively. In the present study, the potential rates of sediment denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) were mapped using N isotope tracing methods along salinity gradients across the Yellow River Delta wetland (YRDW) in China. The contribution of anammox to total dissimilatory N transformations in YRDW was merely 6.8%, whereas denitrification and DNRA contributed 52.3% and 40.9%, respectively. The potential rate of denitrification (5.82 μmol/kg/h) decreased significantly along salinity gradients and markedly exceeded DNRA potential rate (2.7 μmol/kg/h) in fresh wetlands, but was lower than that of DNRA in oligohaline wetlands (3.06 and 3.18 μmol/kg/h, respectively). Moreover, a significantly positive relationship between salinity and DNRA/denitrification was obeserved, indicating that increased salinity may favor DNRA over denitrification. Furthermore, total sulfur (TS) content and ratio of total organic carbon to total nitrogen (C/N) increased with the salinity gradient and showed evident positive relationships with the DNRA/denitrification ratio. In this study, we proved that increased salinization resulted in the dominance of DNRA over denitrification, possible through the addition of S and alteration of the C/N in estuarine wetlands, leading to increased N retention in estuarine wetlands during salinization, which would enhance the eutrophication potential within wetlands and in downstream ecosystems.     

Ammonium removal pathways and microbial community in GAC-sand dual media filter in drinking water treatment

A GAC-sand dual media filter (GSF) was devised as an alternative solution for drinking water treatment plant to tackle the raw water polluted by ammonium in place of expensive ozone-GAC processes or bio-pretreatments. The ammonium removal pathways and microbial community in the GSFs were investigated. The concentrations of ammonium, nitrite and nitrate nitrogen were monitored along the filter. Total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) loss occurred during the filtration. For 1 mg ammonium removal, the TIN loss was as high as 0.35 mg, DO consumption was 3.06 mg, and alkalinity consumption was 5.55 mg. It was assumed that both nitrification and denitrification processes occur in the filters to fit the TIN loss and low DO consumption. During the filtration, nitritation, nitrification and nitritation-anaerobic ammonium oxidation processes probably occur, while traditional nitrification and denitrification and simultaneous nitrification and denitrification processes may occur. In the GSFs, Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira are likely to be involved in nitrification processes, while Novosphingobium, Comamonadaceae and Oxalobacteraceae may be involved in denitrification processes.     

Effect of ammonium on nitrous oxide emission during denitrification with different electron donors

Nitrous oxide(N2O) emission during denitrification is receiving intensive attention due to its high potential to cause greenhouse effects.In this study,denitrifiers were acclimated in sequencing batch reactors with methanol or acetate as the electron donor and nitrate as the electron acceptor.The effects of ammonium on N2O emission were examined in batch experiments with various electron donors.With the addition of ammonium,N2O emission increased under all the examined conditions compared to experiments without ammonium addition.With different electron donors,the highest ratio of N2O emission to the removed oxidized nitrogen was 0.70% for methanol,5.34% for acetate,and 34.79% for polyhydroxybutyrate.     

Effects of bacteria on nitrogen and phosphorus release from river sediment

To better understand the mechanisms of eutrophication,we addressed the microbial processes that influence many key aspects of water-sediment systems.In this study,a large column experiment was conducted for 30 d.Along the column,solution samples were collected at different locations at different time.The samples were analyzed for physical,chemical,and biological properties of the sediment and oveflying water.The results showed that the amount of nitrogen transforming bacteria was higher than than that of phosphorous bacteria.The amount of nitrogen transforming bacteria was in the orderammonitier＞denitrifying bacteria＞nitrobacteria and nitrosomonas.Principal component analysis indicared that the three main factors accounted for more than 90%overall contributions for bacterium growth,which represented nutrition,organics and oxygen,and pH and redox potential(Eh)of the environment.Corresponding to the bacteria,the concentrations of nitrogen in the system was in the orderammonia(NH4 -N)＞nitrate(NO3--N)＞nitrite(NO2--N),The fluxes of N and P clearly showed a temporal release and adsorption processes in the water-sediment system.The large magnitude of N fluxes suggested that N might act as an important contamination source for the water quality.However,P exchange between the sediment and overlying water was less intensive during the experiment.     

Starch/polyvinyl alcohol blended materials used as solid carbon source for tertiary denitrification of secondary effluent

Starch/polyvinyl alcohol （PVA） blended materials for using as a solid carbon source （SCS） were prepared by blending PVA and gelatinized starch in an aqueous solution system, in which PVA served as framework material and starch as carbon source. The optimization of starch content and temperature effects were investigated. It was indicated that higher denitrification efficiency could be achieved with more starch in the materials. The average specific denitrification rates were 0.93, 0.66, 0.37 and 0.36 mg/（g·day） corresponding to starch content of 70%, 60%, 40% and 30% respectively at 37℃. The denitrification rates increased when operating temperature was raised from 23℃ to 30℃ and then 37℃. The mechanism of carbon release was analyzed incorporating the experimental results of abiotic release in deionized water. The organic carbon was mainly hydrolyzed by microbes, and the biological release efficiencies were at the range of 89.2% to 96.0%. A long-term experiment with a continuous flow reactor with SCS material containing 70% starch was conducted to gain some experience for practical application. When the influent nitrate concentration was in the range of 35.2 to 39.1 mg/L, hydraulic retention time of 4 hr, and operating temperature of 30℃, a nitrogen removal efficiency up to 94.6% and denitrification rate of 0.217 kg/（m3.day） was achieved. The starch-based materials developed in this study can be used as a solid carbon source for tertiary nitrogen removal from secondary effluent.     

Denitrification and biofilm growth in a pilot-scale biofilter packed with suspended carriers for biological nitrogen removal from secondary effluent

Tertiary denitrification is an effective method for nitrogen removal from wastewater. A pilot-scale biofilter packed with suspended carriers was operated for tertiary denitrification with ethanol as the organic carbon source. Long-term performance, biokinetics of denitrification and biofilm growth were evaluated under filtration velocities of 6, 10 and 14 m/hr. The pilot-scale biofilter removed nitrate from the secondary effluent effectively, and the nitrate nitrogen(NO_3-N) removal percentage was 82%, 78% and 55% at the filtration velocities of 6, 10 and 14 m/hr, respectively. At the filtration velocities of 6 and 10 m/hr, the nitrate removal loading rate increased with increasing influent nitrate loading rates, while at the filtration velocity of 14 m/hr, the removal loading rate and the influent loading rate were uncorrelated.During denitrification, the ratio of consumed chemical oxygen demand to removed NO_3-N was 3.99–4.52 mg/mg. Under the filtration velocities of 6, 10 and 14 m/hr, the maximum denitrification rate was 3.12, 4.86 and 4.42 g N/(m~2·day), the half-saturation constant was 2.61, 1.05 and 1.17 mg/L, and the half-order coefficient was 0.22, 0.32 and 0.24(mg/L)1/2/min,respectively. The biofilm biomass increased with increasing filtration velocity and was 2845,5124 and 7324 mg VSS/m~2 at filtration velocities of 6, 10 and 14 m/hr, respectively. The highest biofilm density was 44 mg/cm~3 at the filtration velocity of 14 m/hr. Due to the low influent loading rate, biofilm biomass and thickness were lowest at the filtration velocity of 6 m/hr.     

Significance of dredging on sediment denitrification in Meiliang Bay, China： A year long simulation study

An experiment for studying the effects of sediment dredging on denitrification in sediments was carried out through a one-year incubation of undredged (control) and dredged cores in laboratory. Dredging the upper 30 cm of sediment can significantly affect physico-chemical characteristics of sediments. Less degradation of organic matter in the dredged sediments was found during the experiment. Denitrification rates in the sediments were estimated by the acetylene blockage technique, and ranged from 21.6 to 102.7 nmol N2/(g dry weight (dw)·hr) for the undredged sediment and from 6.9 to 26.9 nmol N2/(g dw·hr) for dredged sediments. The denitrification rates in the undredged sediments were markedly higher (p0.05) than those in the dredged sediments throughout the incubation, with the exception of February 2006. The importance of various environmental factors on denitrification was assessed, which indicated that denitrification was regulated by temperature. Nitrate was probably the key factor limiting denitrification in both undredged and dredged sediments. Organic carbon played some role in determining the denitrification rates in the dredged sediments, but not in the undredged sediments. Sediment dredging influenced the mineralization of organic matter and denitrification in the sediment; and therefore changed the pattern of inherent cycling of nitrogen.     

周村水库主库区热分层初期氮素降低的驱动因子分析

为了探究周村水库热分层前期氮素的变化趋势及其驱动因子,于2016年2~4月定期对周村水库主库区进行水质指标监测,并在采样点采集新鲜水样和表层沉积物,实验室模拟水库氮素变化过程中,水体和沉积物的反硝化作用量.结果表明周村水库在热分层初期,库区总氮浓度由(2.28±0.09)mg·L~(-1)降至(1.08±0.09)mg·L~(-1),硝氮浓度由(1.66±0.09)mg·L~(-1)降至(0.25±0.06)mg·L~(-1),氨氮浓度总体变化不大,亚硝氮的浓度几乎不变.与此同时,叶绿素没有明显增加,藻类的影响不大;氮素降低主要由于好氧反硝化菌的反硝化作用造成.热分层初期水库的温度逐渐增加、DO、pH的变化以及以小分子量为主的有机物组成均利用好氧反硝化菌的生长繁殖,菌数从1.06×105cfu·L~(-1)增加到8.33×106cfu·L~(-1),使得水库的反硝化作用增强,水库氮素下降;与此同时的模拟实验中,仅有水体好氧反硝化菌作用时,培养瓶的总氮去除量为0.7 mg,水体和表层沉积物共同作用时,总氮去除量为3.3 mg,水体与表层沉积物的反硝化去除氮量之比大体为1∶4,表层沉积物的反硝化作用是水库氮素去除的重要因素.     

南方丘陵地区竹林河岸系统的氮矿化、反硝化作用研究

采用原位培养法和乙炔抑制-静态土柱培养法,对南方丘陵地区竹林河岸系统的矿化、反硝化作用进行了研究.结果表明,研究区土壤氮矿化速率为-0.28～0.30mg·kg^1·d^-1（以N计,下同）,且与土壤含水量存在显著正相关（p〈0.05）.在系统中,与入口区与中部区的土壤氮矿化作用平均强度相比,毗邻河道的河岸区更为强烈....     

鸡粪好氧堆肥氨氧化霉菌的筛选及氮转化能力的研究

为明确鸡粪好氧堆肥过程氨氧化霉菌的存在情况及其氮转化能力,以鸡粪好氧堆肥中分离的10株霉菌为对象,采用氨氧化霉菌培养基筛选氨氧化菌株;对所选菌株进行生长量及氮转化指标的测定及相关分析,以明确菌体生长与氨氧化作用的关系;对确定的高效氨氧化菌株进行氮转化能力测定,并做回归堆肥的效果验证.结果表明,所试菌株均能氧化NH4+-N生成亚硝态氮和硝态氮,证明在鸡粪好氧堆肥过程中存在氨氧化霉菌,且提示该环境的霉菌可能具有普遍的氨氧化能力;氨氧化霉菌生成的亚硝态氮和硝态氮总量、菌体干重、菌体凯氏氮量间均存在着显著的正相关;确定的2株高效氨氧化菌株M25-22(Penicilliumsp.)与M40-4(Aspergillussp.)在培养基中培养144h后,均能使NH4+-N降低0.3mg·mL-1以上,生成亚硝态氮和硝态氮总量约在1.1×10-3mg·mL-1和1.5×10-3mg·mL-1;2株菌回归堆肥后,均能使堆肥体系中NH4+-N含量明显降低,硝态氮及总氮含量明显增加,这对减少堆肥过程氮素损失具有实际意义.     

In situ nitrogen removal processes in intertidal wetlands of the Yangtze Estuary

Estuarine and intertidal wetlands are important sites for nitrogen transformation and elimination. However, the factors controlling nitrogen removal processes remain largely uncertain in the highly dynamic environments. In this study, continuous-flow experiment combined with ¹⁵N isotope pairing technique was used to investigate in situ rates of denitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) and their coupling with nitrification in intertidal wetlands of the Yangtze Estuary. The measured rates varied from below the detection limit to 152.39 µmol N/(m²·hr) for denitrification and from below the detection limit to 43.06 µmol N/(m²·hr) for anammox. The coupling links of nitrogen removal processes with nitrification were mainly dependent on nitrate, organic carbon, sulfide, dissolved oxygen and ferric iron in the estuarine and intertidal wetlands. Additionally, it was estimated that the actual nitrogen removal processes annually removed approximately 5% of the terrigenous inorganic nitrogen discharged into the Yangtze Estuary. This study gives new insights into nitrogen transformation and fate in the estuarine and intertidal wetlands.     

Mn对超富集植物短毛蓼和水蓼生长、Mn吸收及氮素代谢的影响

摘要：采用水培的方法,研究了不同浓度Mn（0.0003、0.5、1、2、4、8 mmol•L-1）对Mn超富集植物短毛蓼（Polygonum pubescens Blume）和水蓼（Polygonum hydropiper L.）叶片铵态氮、硝态氮、游离脯氨酸、可溶性蛋白质含量及氮素代谢关键酶：硝酸还原酶（NR）、谷氨酰胺合成酶（GS）、谷氨酸合酶（GOGAT）和谷氨酸脱氢酶（GDH）活性的影响。结果表明,随着Mn处理浓度的增加,短毛蓼和水蓼的根、茎、叶中Mn含量显著增加（p < 0.05）,在相同Mn处理浓度下短毛蓼中的Mn含量均大于同部位水蓼中的Mn含量。在Mn处理浓度小于1 mmol•L-1时,Mn对短毛蓼的株高、株重影响不明显,但对水蓼的影响显著（p < 0.05）,表明短毛蓼比水蓼更耐Mn污染。Mn处理显著降低了短毛蓼硝态氮含量（p < 0.05）,提高了可溶性蛋白质含量,8 mmol•L-1的Mn处理显著提高了水蓼硝态氮、铵态氮、可溶性蛋白质含量以及短毛蓼、水蓼游离脯氨酸含量,在Mn浓度为8 mmol•L-1时,短毛蓼、水蓼叶片中游离脯氨酸的含量分别为对照的1.18倍和1.68倍,表明游离脯氨酸在解Mn毒害过程中起重要作用。Mn引起了短毛蓼和水蓼氮素代谢关键酶活性的变化,显著降低了水蓼叶片NR、短毛蓼叶片GS活性（p < 0.05）;在Mn处理浓度为1 mmol•L-1时,短毛蓼叶片NR活性最高,为对照的1.91倍,而2、4、8 mmol•L-1 Mn处理显著降低了短毛蓼和水蓼GOGAT活性（p<0.05）。另外,Mn处理显著提高了短毛蓼和水蓼叶片GDH活性（p < 0.05）,在Mn处理浓度为8 mmol•L-1时,短毛蓼、水蓼叶片GDH的活性分别为对照的16.29倍和1.29倍。     

摇蚊幼虫与霍普水丝蚓扰动对河流沉积物中氮、磷、氧释放的影响

定量研究河床沉积物中的生物扰动对污染物的影响效应,对于维护河流健康具有重要的理论指导作用.基于室内实验模拟摇蚊和霍普水丝蚓对河床沉积物的扰动过程,研究两种生物扰动作用对沉积物中氮、磷释放以及生物扰动对上覆水中溶解氧的影响.在相同的沉积物环境中分别放入单一物种,实验结果显示,相对于空白组,摇蚊幼虫组的上覆水中氨氮、总氮、总磷平均净增量分别为2.32、0.787、0.105 mg · L^-1,霍普水丝蚓组的氨氮、总氮、总磷平均净增量分别为0.72、0.462、0.063 mg · L^-1,表明摇蚊幼虫和霍普水丝蚓的扰动作用均能促进沉积物中氨氮、总氮、总磷向上覆水中的释放,且摇蚊幼虫对污染物释放的作用效果比水丝蚓更明显;当摇蚊幼虫和水丝蚓混合放入后,摇蚊幼虫对沉积物中氨氮、总氮、总磷释放起主要促进作用;在混合实验组(摇蚊23条,霍普水丝蚓47条)中,氨氮、总氮、总磷的平均净增量均低于单一物种的摇蚊组和水丝蚓组,表明在该组中,摇蚊幼虫和霍普水丝蚓在沉积物中共同扰动作用对氮、磷释放的促进效果减弱;对上覆水中溶解氧浓度而言,摇蚊所占比例越高,溶解氧浓度就越低,且上覆水中的溶解氧浓度变化,会影响生物扰动对沉积物氮、磷释放的效果.     

水耕植物过滤法净水系统底泥硝化反硝化潜力

通过测定水耕植物过滤法(Hydroponic Bio-filter Method,HBFM)水质净化系统中底泥的硝化、反硝化潜力以及底泥中亚硝酸菌和硝酸菌密度,定量研究了该系统底泥的硝化及反硝化潜力沿水流方向的变化规律.结果表明,中游底泥硝化潜力最大,为4.76×10^-6 g/(g·h);上游底泥反硝化潜力最大,为8.1×10^-7 g/(g·h);底泥中亚硝酸菌的密度分布与硝化潜力的分布一致.结果还表明,提高HBFM系统氮去除能力的关键在于改变硝化反硝化区域分布,从而提高系统的反硝化能力.     

Cd对小白菜生长及氮素代谢的影响研究

采用水培的方法,研究了不同Cd2 水平(0、1、2.5、5、10 mg·L-1)对小白菜叶片中铵态氮、硝态氮、可溶性蛋白质、游离脯氨酸、叶绿素、部分营养元素含量以及蛋白水解酶、硝酸还原酶、谷氨酰胺转化酶与合成酶活性的影响.结果表明,低浓度的Cd处理(1 mg·L-1)刺激了小白菜的生长,提高了小白菜的生物量、叶绿素含量以及硝酸还原酶、谷氨酰胺合成酶与转化酶活性.Cd处理降低了小白菜对Cu、Ca、Fe、Mg的吸收,但促进了P的吸收.10 mg·L-1的Cd处理显著降低了可溶性蛋白质含量、硝酸还原酶、谷氨酰胺合成酶和转化酶活性(p＜0.05),提高了蛋白水解酶活性,不利于叶片中铵态氮与硝态氮的同化,造成叶片中铵态氮和硝态氮的累积.小白菜叶片中游离脯氨酸含量与铵态氮含量成极显著正相关(p＜0.01),说明小白菜叶片中游离脯氨酸的累积在一定程度上缓解了铵的毒害.     

傀儡湖沉积物-水界面硝酸盐异养还原过程研究

反硝化（DNF）和硝酸盐异养还原为氨（DNRA）是水域生态系统中硝酸盐异养还原的2个主要过程.DNF和DNRA之间的竞争控制着硝酸盐在水域生态系统中的异养还原方式和最终归趋.选取太湖流域的傀儡湖为研究对象,采用室内培养实验和稳定氮同位素示踪技术,考察傀儡湖沉积物-水界面的DNF和DNRA速率及其对硝酸盐异养还原过程的贡献.结果显示,沉积物表现为NH₄⁺-N的源和NO₃^--N的汇,潜在DNF速率为18.89~54.00μmol/（kg·h）[均值（36.39±3.86）μmol/（kg·h）],DNRA反应速率为1.02~5.89μmol/（kg·h）[均值（3.21±1.15）μmol/（kg·h）].DNF与沉积物有机质含量和含水率存在显著的正相关关系,DNRA与沉积物需氧量（SOD）之间存在相关性.反硝化是傀儡湖中硝酸盐异养还原的主导过程,贡献率为84.23%~96.90%,而DNRA过程只占3.10%~15.77%.与海洋河口区域相比,淡水湖泊生态系统中DNRA速率和DNRA在硝酸盐异养还原中所占的比重均较小.