biostudies-literatureZhang DEducation Department of Jiangxi ProvinceJiangxi University of Science and TechnologyNational Natural Science Foundation of China26263-26275https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9070342biostudies-literatureUnknown9(45)The anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process has gained much popularity in recent years following its success in nitrogen removal. However, not much has been reported on techniques to promote anammox bacteria immobilization and associated microbial community evolution. In this study, a novel upflow porous-plate anaerobic reactor (UPPAR) was developed and explored to promote biomass (anammox) retention and growth. To comprehend the performance of the UPPAR, its nitrogen removal efficiencies, as well as the microbial community dynamics involved in the nitrogen removal process, was evaluated and reported. When NLR ranging 0.98-1.08 kg m^-3 d^-1 was introduced at various stages of the UPPAR operation, a rapid start-up was achieved in 63 d, and the overall nitrogen remRSC advancesAccelerated start-up, long-term performance and microbial community shifts within a novel upflow porous-plated anaerobic reactor treating nitrogen-rich wastewater <i>via</i> ANAMMOX process.PMC907034251464014JXXJBS18033GJJ180434Liu ZZhang DLi JXiao LAyivi FLuo WXu SLai CAntwi PSu HfalseAccelerated start-up, long-term performance and microbial community shifts within a novel upflow porous-plated anaerobic reactor treating nitrogen-rich wastewater <i>via</i> ANAMMOX process.The anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process has gained much popularity in recent years following its success in nitrogen removal. However, not much has been reported on techniques to promote anammox bacteria immobilization and associated microbial community evolution. In this study, a novel upflow porous-plate anaerobic reactor (UPPAR) was developed and explored to promote biomass (anammox) retention and growth. To comprehend the performance of the UPPAR, its nitrogen removal efficiencies, as well as the microbial community dynamics involved in the nitrogen removal process, was evaluated and reported. When NLR ranging 0.98-1.08 kg m^-3 d^-1 was introduced at various stages of the UPPAR operation, a rapid start-up was achieved in 63 d, and the overall nitrogen rem2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Aug2025-04-04T10:02:15.976Z2025-04-04T10:02:15.976ZS-EPMC90703423553098410.1039/c9ra04225c