Influence of operating conditions on population dynamics in nitrifying biofilms

Valentina Lazarova, Danièle Bellahcen, Jacques Manem, David A. Stahl, Bruce E. Rittmann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

TURBO N® is a circulating-bed biofilm reactor that provides stable operation and high N removal for a wide range of N and BOD loadings. This paper describes the influence of operating conditions on biofilm composition and population dynamics when the TURBO N® is operated to achieve tertiary nitrification, simultaneous carbon and ammonia oxidation and total nitrogen removal when coupled with a pre-denitrification fixed floating bed reactor. In situ specific nitrification rates and respiration tests showed that ammonium and nitrite oxidizers became less active in the biofilm once oxidation of influent BOD became important. Analyses of community structure with oligonucleotide probes targeted to the 16S rRNA showed the same general trends for nitrifiers, but also suggested shifts in the makeup of the ammonium and nitrite oxidizers that could not be detected with respirometry or specific nitrification rates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5-11
Number of pages7
JournalWater Science and Technology
Volume39
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biofilm composition
  • Circulating-bed reactor
  • DNA probes
  • Nitrification
  • Population dynamics
  • Respirometry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Water Science and Technology

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