Abstract: Organic carbon can affect the biological nitrogen removal process since the Anammox, heterotrophic and denitrifying bacteria have different affinities and feedback in relation to carbon/nitrogen ratio. Therefore, we reviewed the wastewater carbon concentration, its biodegradability and bioavailability to choose the appropriate nitrogen removal process between conventional (nitrification-denitrification) and Anammox-based process (i.e. integrated with the partial nitritation, nitritation, simultaneous partial nitrification and denitrification or partial-denitrification). This review will cover: (i) strategies to choose the best nitrogen removal route according to the wastewater characteristics in relation to the organic matter bioavailability and biodegradability; (ii) strategies to efficiently remove nitrogen and the remaining carbon from effluent in anammox-based process and its operating cost; (iii) an economic analysis to determine the operational costs of two-units Anammox-based process when compared with the commonly applied one-unit Anammox system (partial-nitritation-Anammox). On this re-view, a list of alternatives are summarized and explained for different nitrogen and biodegradable organic carbon concentrations, which are the main factors to determine the best treatment process, based on operational and economic terms. In summary, it depends on the wastewater carbon biodegradability, which implies in the wastewater treatment cost. Thus, to apply the conventional nitrification/denitrification process a CODb/N ratio higher than 3.5 is required to achieve full nitrogen removal efficiency. For an economic point of view, according to the analysis the minimum CODb/gN for successful nitrogen removal by nitrification/denitrification is 5.8 g. If ratios lower than 3.5 are applied, for successfully higher nitrogen removal rates and the economic feasibility of the treatment, Anammox-based routes can be applied to the wastewater treatment plant.

Abstract: The denitrification process was studied in two granular biomass denitrifying reactors (USB1 and USB2). In USB1 large quantities of biomass were accumulated (9.5 gVSS L-1) allowing for the treatment of high nitrogen loads (3.5 g NO3--N L-1 d(-1)). As the biomass granulation process is not immediate the effects of different upflow velocities (0.12-5.5 m h(-1)) and calcium contents (5-200 mg Ca2+ L-1) were studied in order to speed up the process. Obtained results indicate that the optimum values for these parameters, which allow for the stable operation of USB1, are of 0.19 m h(-1) and 60 mg Ca2+ L-1. Then these optimum conditions were applied to USB2 where the effects of concentrations from 335 to 1000 mg NO3--N L-1 were tested. In these conditions nitrate concentrations of 1000 mg NO3--N L-1 are required for denitrifying granular biomass formation. Summarizing denitrifying granules can be formed at low upflow velocities and in hard or extremely hard water composition conditions if sufficient high nitrogen loads are treated. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: The simultaneous nitrification, Anammox and denitrification (SNAD) process discovered six years ago is an adaptation of the autotrophic denitrification process that allows for treating nitrogen-rich wastewater streams with moderate amounts of organic carbon. Several authors have noted that it is possible to utilize organic carbon to promote nitrogen removal via the action of denitrifying microorganisms, which can remove the remnant nitrate produced by Anammox bacteria. Thus, SNAD systems can achieve nitrogen removal efficiencies higher than 89%, which is what is expected under autotrophic conditions. Three bacterial groups are responsible for SNAD reactions: ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) and heterotrophic bacteria (HB). Because HB will compete with AOB and AnAOB for oxygen and nitrite, respectively, the system should be operated in such way that a balance among the different bacterial populations is achieved. Here, the results reported in the literature are analyzed to define suitable characteristics of effluents for treatment and operational conditions to allow the SNAD process to be carried out with different types of technologies. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Groundwater is an important resource that can help in climate change adaptation. However, the pollution of these aquifers with nitrate is a widespread problem of growing concern. Biological denitrification using inorganic electron donors shows significant advantages in treating nitrate-polluted groundwater where organic matter presence is negligible. However, mass transfer limitations and secondary contamination seem to be the major hinderance to spread the use of these technologies. This could be solved by the use of bioelectrochemical systems (BES), which emerge as an attractive technology to solve these problems due to the reported low energy demand and high denitrification rates. However, technical and operational issues must be considered to replicate these results at full-scale. This review summarizes the biological basis of autotrophic denitrification and the key aspects of its application in bioelectrochemical systems. In addition, an estimation of the capital costs required for the implementation of a BES considering different population sizes and initial nitrate concentration in the ground-water is made.

Abstract: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a powerful greenhouse gas emitted from wastewater treatment, as well as natural systems, as a result of biological nitrification and denitrification. While denitrifying bacteria can be a significant source of N2O, they can also reduce N2O to N-2. More information on the kinetics of N2O formation and reduction by denitrifying bacteria is needed to predict and quantify their impact on N2O emissions. In this study, kinetic parameters were determined for Paracoccus pantotrophus, a common denitrifying bacterium. Parameters included the maximum specific reduction rates, (q) over cap, growth rates, (mu) over cap, and yields, Y, for reduction of NO3- (nitrate) to nitrite (N2O-), N2O- to N2O, and N2O to N-2, with acetate as the electron donor. The (q) over cap values were 2.9 gN gCOD(-1) d(-1) for NNO3- to NO2-, 1.4 gN gCOD(-1) d(-1) for N2O-to N2O, and 5.3 gN gCOD(-1) d(-1) for N2O to N-2. The (mu) over cap values were 2.7, 0.93, and 1.5 d(-1), respectively. When N2O and NO3- were added concurrently, the apparent (extant) kinetics, (q) over cap (app), assuming reduction to N-2, were 6.3 gCOD gCOD(-1) d(-1), compared to 5.4 gCOD gCOD(-1) d(-1) for NO3- as the sole added acceptor. The (mu) over cap (app) was 1.6 d(-1), compared to 2.5 d(-1) for NO3- alone. These results suggest that NO3- and N2O were reduced concurrently. Based on this research, denitrifying bacteria like P. pantotrophus may serve as a significant sink for N2O. With careful design and operation, treatment plants can use denitrifying bacteria to minimize N2O emissions.

Abstract: We used bench-scale tests and mathematical modeling to explore chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rates in a moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) for winery wastewater treatment, using either urea or nitrate as a nitrogen source. With urea addition, the COD removal fluxes ranged from 34 to 45 gCOD/m(2)-d. However, when nitrate was added, fluxes increased up to 65 gCOD/m(2)-d, twice the amount reported for aerobic biofilms for winery wastewater treatment. A one-dimensional biofilm model, calibrated with data from respirometric tests, accurately captured the experimental results. Both experimental and modelling results suggest that nitrate significantly increased MBBR capacity by stimulating COD oxidation in the deeper, oxygen-limited regions of the biofilm. Our research suggests that the addition of nitrate, or other energetic and broadly used electron acceptors, may provide a cost-effective means of covering peak COD loads in biofilm processes for winery or another industrial wastewater treatment.