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Sulfate-reducing anaerobic ammonium oxidation as a potential treatment method for high nitrogen-content wastewater

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Abstract

After sulfate-reducing ammonium oxidation (SRAO) was first assumed in 2001, several works have been published describing this process in laboratory-scale bioreactors or occurring in the nature. In this paper, the SRAO process was performed using reject water as a substrate for microorganisms and a source of NH4 +, with SO4 2− being added as an electron acceptor. At a moderate temperature of 20°C in a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) sulfate reduction along with ammonium oxidation were established. In an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASBR) the SRAO process took place at 36°C. Average volumetric TN removal rates of 0.03 kg-N/m³/day in the MBBR and 0.04 kg-N/m³/day in the UASBR were achieved, with long-term moderate average removal efficiencies, respectively. Uncultured bacteria clone P4 and uncultured planctomycete clone Amx-PAn30 were detected from the biofilm of the MBBR, from sludge of the UASBR uncultured Verrucomicrobiales bacterium clone De2102 and Uncultured bacterium clone ATB-KS-1929 were found also. The stoichiometrical ratio of NH4 + removal was significantly higher than could be expected from the extent of SO4 2− reduction. This phenomenon can primarily be attributed to complex interactions between nitrogen and sulfur compounds and organic matter present in the wastewater. The high NH4 + removal ratio can be attributed to sulfur-utilizing denitrification/denitritation providing the evidence that SRAO is occurring independently and is not a result of sulfate reduction and anammox. HCO3 – concentrations exceeding 1,000 mg/l were found to have an inhibiting effect on the SRAO process. Small amounts of hydrazine were naturally present in the reaction medium, indicating occurrence of the anammox process. Injections of anammox intermediates, hydrazine and hydroxylamine, had a positive effect on SRAO process performance, particularly in the case of the UASBR.

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported by the Estonian target-financed research project ‘‘Processes in macro- and microheterogeneous and nanoscale systems and related technological applications” (SF0180135s08) and by the Estonian Environmental Investment Center program “Treatment of nitrogen-rich wastewaters (SLOTI08262)”. Anne Paaver is acknowledged for the analyses of water samples. Alvo Aabloo is acknowledged for his contribution of Scanning Electron Microscopy technique.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, 14a Ravila Street, 50411, Tartu, Estonia

    Ergo Rikmann, Ivar Zekker, Martin Tomingas, Taavo Tenno & Toomas Tenno

  2. Tallinn University of Technology, 5 Ehitajate Street, 19086, Tallinn, Estonia

    Anne Menert & Liis Loorits

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  1. Ergo Rikmann
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  2. Ivar Zekker
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Correspondence to Ergo Rikmann.

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Rikmann, E., Zekker, I., Tomingas, M. et al. Sulfate-reducing anaerobic ammonium oxidation as a potential treatment method for high nitrogen-content wastewater. Biodegradation 23, 509–524 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-011-9529-2

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