Nitrogen removal performance in pilot-scale solid-phase denitrification systems using novel biodegradable blends for treatment of waste water treatment plants effluent

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2020-06, Vol.305, p.122994-122994, Article 122994
• Main Authors: Yang, Zhongchen, Sun, Haimeng, Zhou, Qi, Zhao, Liu, Wu, Weizhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anammox; Biodegradable blends; Microbial community; Nitrogen removal performance; Solid-phase denitrification
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122994

•Pilot-scale systems were set to treat effluent of waste water treatment plants.•PHBV-Sawdust system obtained the optimal denitrification performance.•Blending carbon sources favored complex community diversity.•Denitrification and anammox co-existed in PHBV-Sawdust system. In this study, three pilot-scale solid-phase denitrification (SPD) systems filled with poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hyroxyvelate (PHBV), PHBV-Rice hulls (PHBV-RH) and PHBV-Sawdust (PHBV-S) were operated to treat effluent of waste water treatment pangts (WWTPs). The fast start-up and intensified nitrogen removal performance were obtained in PHBV-RH and PHBV-S systems. Besides, the optimal total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency was obtained in PHBV-S system (91.65 ± 4.12%) with less ammonia accumulation and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release. The significant enrichment of amx 16S rRNA and nirS genes in PHBV-RH and PHBV-S systems indicated the possible coexistence of anammox and denitrification. Miseq sequencing analysis exhibited more complex community diversity, more abundant denitrifying and fermenting bacteria in PHBV-RH and PHBV-S systems. The co-existence of denitrification and anammox might contribute to better control of nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon in PHBV-S system. The outcomes provide an economical and eco-friendly alternative to improve nitrogen removal of WWTPs effluent.