Ammonium stimulates nitrate reduction during simultaneous nitrification and denitrification process by Arthrobacter arilaitensis Y-10

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2017-09, Vol.239, p.66-73
• Main Authors: He, Tengxia, Xie, Deti, Li, Zhenlun, Ni, Jiupai, Sun, Quan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aerobiosis; Ammonium Compounds; Ammonium removal; Arthrobacter; Arthrobacter arilaitensis; Denitrification; Nitrification; Nitrite accumulation; Nitrites; Nitrogen; Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.04.125

•Arthrobacter arilaitensis Y-10 could remove mixed nitrogen sources.•The nitrate removal efficiency could be promoted by adding ammonium.•It tolerates to high concentrations of ammonium, nitrate and nitrite nitrogen.•Nitrite was accumulated in presence of ammonium and nitrate. The ability of Arthrobacter arilaitensis Y-10 for nitrogen removal from simulated wastewater was studied. Results showed that ammonium was the best inorganic nitrogen for strain Y-10’s cell growth, which could also promote nitrate reduction. Approximately 100.0% of ammonium was removed in the nitrogen removal experiments. The nitrate removal efficiency was 73.3% with nitrate as sole nitrogen source, and then the nitrate efficiency was increased to 85.3% and 100.0% with ammonium and nitrate (both about 5 or 100mg/L) as the mixed nitrogen sources. Nitrite accumulation was observed in presence of ammonium and nitrate. When the concentration of sole nitrite nitrogen was 10.31mg/L, the nitrite removal efficiency was 100.0%. Neither ammonium nor nitrate was accumulated during the whole experimental process. All experimental results indicated that A. arilaitensis Y-10 could remove ammonium, nitrate and nitrite at 15°C from wastewater, and could also perform simultaneous nitrification and denitrification under aerobic condition.