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Microbial composition and nitrogen removal pathways in a novel sequencing batch reactor integrated with semi-fixed biofilm carrier: evidence from a pilot study for low- and high-strength sewage treatment

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Abstract

The sequencing batch reactor (SBR) activated sludge process is a well-established technology for sewage treatment. One of the drawbacks of SBRs, however, total nitrogen (TN) removals is insufficient. By means of introducing four improvements, including semi-fixed biofilm carrier, sludge elevation mixing and change for the mode of influent and effluent, compliant standard for TN discharge was obtained in this novel SBR configuration during low- and high-strength sewage load. To illustrate the microbial compositions and functions of the attached biofilm on semi-fixed carrier and the suspended aggregates, as well as the nitrogen removal pathway, high throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, PICRUSt2 algorithm, and KEGG database were applied. The results revealed that (i) the microbial communities from suspended aggregates and biofilm samples were significantly different from each other; (ii) during low-strength sewage loads, TN removal was mainly by nitrification–denitrification. The suspended aggregates was responsible for denitrification, while the biofilm was focused on ammonium oxidation; (iii) during high-strength sewage loads, function of nitrate reductase from suspended aggregates was faded, and anammox and N assimilation by biofilm became dominant. Meanwhile, TN removal referring to the formation of l-glutamine via assimilation was the main pathway.

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All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this manuscript and its supplementary information file.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support for this work provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No.51778164 and Grants No.51608140) and the Basic and Applied Basic Research Program of Guangdong, China (Grants No. 2021A1515010499).

Funding

Major Research Plan,51778164,Zhi-min Sun,Young Scientists Fund,51608140,Rui-jian Zhang,Basic and Applied Basic Research Program of Guangdong,2021A1515010499,Rui-jian Zhang

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research center, Guangzhou Municipal Engineering Design & Research Institute, Guangzhou, 510060, China

    Peng-fei Chen, Rui-jian Zhang, Zhi-li Du, Guang-hua Wang, Hao-tao Dong, Ru-pei Fan, Lu-xin Li, Qian-bin Wang, Ying-shi Liu & Zhi-min Sun

  2. Graduate School, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510060, China

    Bin Cui

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  1. Peng-fei Chen
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Contributions

Peng-fei Chen: investigation, writing, reviewing, and editing.

Rui-jian Zhang: conceptualization, methodology, software, supervision.

Zhi-li Du and Guang-hua Wang: data analysis, validation, reviewing, and editing.

Hao-tao Dong, Bin Cui, and Ru-pei Fan: visualization, investigation.

Lu-xin Li and Qian-bin Wang: writing—original draft preparation.

Ying-shi Liu and Zhi-min Sun: Software, data analysis.

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Correspondence to Rui-jian Zhang.

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Chen, Pf., Zhang, Rj., Du, Zl. et al. Microbial composition and nitrogen removal pathways in a novel sequencing batch reactor integrated with semi-fixed biofilm carrier: evidence from a pilot study for low- and high-strength sewage treatment. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 49105–49115 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19382-w

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