Regime shift and microbial dynamics in a sequencing batch reactor for nitrification and anammox treatment of urine.

ABSTRACT: The microbial population and physicochemical process parameters of a sequencing batch reactor for nitrogen removal from urine were monitored over a 1.5-year period. Microbial community fingerprinting (automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis), 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and quantitative PCR on nitrogen cycle functional groups were used to characterize the microbial population. The reactor combined nitrification (ammonium oxidation)/anammox with organoheterotrophic denitrification. The nitrogen elimination rate initially increased by 400%, followed by an extended period of performance degradation. This phase was characterized by accumulation of nitrite and nitrous oxide, reduced anammox activity, and a different but stable microbial community. Outwashing of anammox bacteria or their in

SUBMITTER: Burgmann H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3165423 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature