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Capability of Ammonium Adsorption by Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidation Granular Sludge

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Abstract

Nitrogen removal by anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) of granular sludge is a globally important emerging technology. The ammonium adsorption properties of anammox granular sludge were studied at varying initial ammonium concentration and sludge concentration. Factors affecting the absorption process as temperature, pH, salinity, and metal cations were also examined. The experimental results indicated that ammonium adsorption by anammox granular sludge occurred quickly (in about 20 min). The optimal pH was 7.0 and the ammonium adsorption process was significantly affected by temperature, salinity, and metal cations. The experimental data were modeled using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin adsorption isotherms and the ammonium adsorption process was fit to the Freundlich isotherm. The kinetic results indicated that the experimental data fit well to a pseudo-second-order model. Both intraparticle diffusion and boundary layer diffusion could affect the ammonium adsorption rate. The thermodynamic parameters ΔG0, ΔH0, and ΔS0 were evaluated and suggested that ammonium adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic. These findings indicate that the adsorption of ammonium should be incorporated into models for nitrogen removal, particularly for the use of anammox granular sludge.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Chinese Critical Patented Project of the Control and Management of National Polluted Water Bodies (2014ZX07201-011) for the financial supports of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, The College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China

    Yun Li, Jun Li, Yanzhuo Zhang, Xiujie Wang & Zhaoming Zheng

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  1. Yun Li
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  2. Jun Li
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  3. Yanzhuo Zhang
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  4. Xiujie Wang
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  5. Zhaoming Zheng
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Correspondence to Yun Li or Jun Li.

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Li, Y., Li, J., Zhang, Y. et al. Capability of Ammonium Adsorption by Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidation Granular Sludge. Water Air Soil Pollut 227, 262 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-016-2965-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-016-2965-1

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