Nitrite is a common intermediate in at least three different oxidative or reductive biochemical pathways that occur in nature (nitrification, denitrification and dissimilatory or assimilatory nitrate reduction). Nitrite accumulation or partial nitrification has been reported in literature for decades. In engineered systems, partial nitrification is of interest as it offers cost savings in aeration as well as in the form of lesser need for addition of organic carbon as compared to the conventional denitrification. A broad range of operating parameters and factors has been reviewed in this paper which are essential for achieving partial nitrification. Of these, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, free ammonia (FA) and nitrous acid concentrations, inhibitory compounds are important factors in achieving partial nitrification.Two groups of bacteria, namely ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) are involved in nitrification. Chemolitho-autotrophic AOB are responsible for the rate-limiting step of nitrification in a wide variety of environments, making them important in the global cycling of nitrogen. Characterization
The feasibility of using a laboratory-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket process for sulfate reduction with molasses as a carbon source was demonstrated. Competition between methaneproducing bacteria (MPB) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) was influenced by the chemical oxygen demand-to-sulfur (COD:S) ratio in the feed. Sulfate removal greater than 80% could be achieved at COD:S greater than 10 when MPB predominated. Activity of MPB and SRB was inhibited at a dissolved sulfide concentration of approximately 200 mg/L. Competition between MPB and SRB was intense as the COD:S was reduced from 5 to 2. Further reduction in the COD:S to 0.7 led to the formation of sulfidogenic granules. The COD removal decreased to approximately 30% at a COD:S less than 2 because of accumulation of sulfurous precipitates and the nonbiodegradable portion of molasses in the sludge. Reduced gas production rates further imposed limitations on diffusion of the organic substrate into granules. Sulfidogenic process operation yielded sulfate removal as great as 70% at a COD:S of approximately 3.5. Water Environ. Res., 73, 118 (2001).
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