Inhibitory effect of sulfide on the nitrifying respiratory process

Background Biological wastewater treatment by nitrification is widely used; however information on inhibition of nitrification by sulfide is still scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of different initial sulfide concentrations on ammonium and nitrite oxidizing process...

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Published in:Journal of chemical technology and biotechnology (1986) 2013-07, Vol.88 (7), p.1344-1349
Main Authors: Bejarano Ortiz, Diego Iván, Thalasso, Frédéric, Cuervo López, Flor de María, Texier, Anne-Claire
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Chemical engineering
Exact sciences and technology
General purification processes
inhibition
nitrification
Pollution
Reactors
respiratory process
sulfide
Wastewaters
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Background Biological wastewater treatment by nitrification is widely used; however information on inhibition of nitrification by sulfide is still scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of different initial sulfide concentrations on ammonium and nitrite oxidizing processes. Results In the absence of sulfide, nitrification was completed after 24 h with an ammonium consumption efficiency (ENH4+) of 100.0 ± 2.1% and an ammonium to nitrate conversion yield (YNO3‐) of 0.90 ± 0.01 g NO3‐‐N g–1 NH4+‐N consumed. At sulfide concentrations lower than 13.5 ± 0.7 mg HS‐‐S L–1, ENH4+ was maintained at 100% after 60 h. At sulfide concentrations ranging from 3.1 to 112.0 mg HS‐‐S L–1, the YNO3‐ decreased from 0.9 to 0.3 due to an accumulation of nitrite, whereas specific rates decreased by 51 to 92% for NH4+ consumption and by 77 to 97% for NO3‐ production. The IC50 value (concentration causing 50% inhibition) for ammonium and nitrite oxidation was 2.6 ± 0.3 and 1.2 ± 0.2 mg HS‐‐S L–1, respectively. Conclusion Sulfide provoked an inhibitory effect on both ammonium and nitrite oxidizing processes, nitrite oxidation being the most affected step. This information is relevant for wastewater treatment, indicating that the presence of sulfide in effluents even at low concentration might strongly alter the nitrifying activity of activated sludge and provoke nitrite accumulation.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
ISSN:0268-2575
1097-4660
DOI:10.1002/jctb.3982