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Acclimation of denitrifying activated sludge to a single vs. complex external carbon source during a start-up of sequencing batch reactors treating ammonium-rich anaerobic sludge digester liquors

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Abstract

In this study, denitrification of ammonium-reach anaerobic sludge digester liquor was investigated during start-up periods of two laboratory-scale “fill-and-draw” reactors. One reactor was fed with a single carbon source (ethanol), whereas the other reactor was fed with a complex carbon source (fusel oil). During two acclimation experiments, the structure of microbial community involved in denitrification was analyzed using 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprints and fluorescent in situ hybridization. The characteristics of the mixed liquor were additionally supported by regular measurements of nitrate uptake rates. The addition of fusel oil and ethanol resulted in a significant enhancement of the denitrification rate and efficiency combined with the increasing volumetric addition of sludge digester liquor up to 15 % of the reactor volume. The microbiological analyses revealed that the addition of sludge digester liquor as well as both external carbon sources (fusel oil and ethanol) did not affect the structure of microbial communities in a severe way. In both reactors, Curvibacter sp. and Azoarcus sp. were found as the most abundant representatives of denitrifiers.

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Abbreviations

COD:

Chemical oxygen demand

FISH:

Fluorescent in situ hybridization

HRT:

Hydraulic retention time

MLVSS:

Mixed liquor volatile suspended solids

MLSS:

Mixed liquor suspended solids

NUR:

Nitrate uptake rate

PCR-DGGE:

Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprints

SRT:

Sludge retention time

TN:

Total nitrogen

WWTP:

Waste water treatment plant

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by European Regional Development Fund within the framework of the Innovative Economy Operational Programme 2007–2013 under the project no. UDA-POIG.01.03.01–22-140/09-04.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, ul. Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland

    Krzysztof Czerwionka, Aneta Luczkiewicz, Joanna Majtacz, Przemyslaw Kowal, Katarzyna Jankowska & Jacek Makinia

  2. University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland

    Slawomir Ciesielski

  3. Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, 60616, USA

    Krishna Pagilla

Authors
  1. Krzysztof Czerwionka
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  2. Aneta Luczkiewicz
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  3. Joanna Majtacz
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  4. Przemyslaw Kowal
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  5. Katarzyna Jankowska
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  6. Slawomir Ciesielski
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  7. Krishna Pagilla
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  8. Jacek Makinia
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Correspondence to Krzysztof Czerwionka.

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Czerwionka, K., Luczkiewicz, A., Majtacz, J. et al. Acclimation of denitrifying activated sludge to a single vs. complex external carbon source during a start-up of sequencing batch reactors treating ammonium-rich anaerobic sludge digester liquors. Biodegradation 25, 881–892 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-014-9707-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-014-9707-0

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