Abstract
Partial nitritation is a promising technology for wastewater treatment systems and, in symbiosis with other nitrogen removal approaches (i.e., Anammox bacteria), is attractive for reducing costs compared to conventional technologies. However, the intrinsic problems related to the different characteristics of the effluent induce unstable process conditions, including the subsequent accumulation of nitrate, which also reduces the partial yield of nitritation. Several studies highlight the persistent obstacles in preventing nitrate accumulation by nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, identified as the main challenge in the partial nitritation process. Consequently, this study conducted a comprehensive literature review, exploring various strategies to overcome these bottlenecks. Addressing the suppression of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and the inhibition of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria involved consideration of operational strategy. Notably, pH emerged as an essential factor affecting microbial activity and process stability, influencing the efficiency of biochemical reactions. In addition, other interferents, such as organic compounds and metals, can influence the health and activity of microorganisms, affecting the overall effectiveness of the nitrogen removal process. The systematic control of various environmental and operational variables is essential for the stability of the process, demonstrating that a single strategy does not define the control of partial nitritation in wastewater. To date, maintaining dissolved oxygen in the range of 0.4 to 1 mg O2 L−1 and temperatures between 25 and 35 °C remains the most viable strategy for promoting stable partial nitritation. Finally, it is imperative to carry out further studies to develop control strategies and technologies, guaranteeing the efficiency of large-scale nitrogen removal systems and maintaining environmental safety standards.
Article Highlights
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Key advantages and limitations to favor AOB activity were critically discussed.
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The partial nitrification dynamical energy efficiency was explored.
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PN/A-based processes with different operational strategies require further study.
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Control strategies using microbial mechanisms are potential and necessary.
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Data availability
All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.
Abbreviations
- ADP:
-
Adenosine DiPhosphate
- AOB:
-
Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria
- ATP:
-
Adenosine TriPhosphate
- CANON:
-
Completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite
- COD:
-
Chemical oxygen demand
- DEMON:
-
Deammonification: PN + Anammox
- DNA:
-
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
- DO:
-
Dissolved oxygen
- Ea:
-
Activation energy
- FA:
-
Free Ammonia
- FNA:
-
Free Nitrous Acid
- HRT:
-
Hydraulic Retention time
- IFAS:
-
Fixed-biofilm activated sludge
- MBBR:
-
Moving bed biofilm reactor.
- NOB:
-
Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria
- OLAND:
-
Oxygen limited autotrophic nitrification–denitrification
- PN:
-
Partial nitritation
- PN/A:
-
Partial nitritation /Anammox
- RNA:
-
Ribonucleic Acid
- SBR:
-
Sequential Batch Reactor
- SHARON:
-
Single reactor for high activity ammonia removal over nitrite
- SNAP:
-
Single stage nitrogen removal using Anammox and partial nitrification
- SRT:
-
Solid Retention Time
- TAN:
-
Total ammonia nitrogen
- TN:
-
Total nitrogen
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Authors thank financial support from the National Council for Scientific and Technological (CNPq), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), Araucaria Foundation for Support to Scientific and Technological Development of the State of Paraná (FA), and the University of Technology—Paraná—UTFPR-Dois Vizinhos.
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National Council for Scientific and Technological (CNPq); Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and Araucaria Foundation for Support to Scientific and Technological Development of the State of Paraná (FA).
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Bolsan, A.C., Hollas, C.E., Rodrigues, H.C. et al. Challenges and Operational Strategies to Achieve Partial Nitrification in Biological Wastewater Treatment: A Review. Int J Environ Res 18, 22 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00572-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-024-00572-y