Characterization of an autotrophic nitrogen-removing biofilm from a highly loaded lab-scale rotating biological contactor.

ABSTRACT: In this study, a lab-scale rotating biological contactor (RBC) treating a synthetic NH(4)(+) wastewater devoid of organic carbon and showing high N losses was examined for several important physiological and microbial characteristics. The RBC biofilm removed 89% +/- 5% of the influent N at the highest surface load of approximately 8.3 g of N m(-2) day(-1), with N(2) as the main end product. In batch tests, the RBC biomass showed good aerobic and anoxic ammonium oxidation (147.8 +/- 7.6 and 76.5 +/- 6.4 mg of NH(4)(+)-N g of volatile suspended solids [VSS](-1) day(-1), respectively) and almost no nitrite oxidation (< 1 mg of N g of VSS(-1) day(-1)). The diversity of aerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AAOB) and planctomycetes in the biofilm was characterized by cloning and sequencing of PCR

SUBMITTER: Pynaert K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC161519 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature