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Performance and microbial characterization of aerobic granular sludge in a sequencing batch reactor performing simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal with varying C/N ratios

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Abstract

The mechanism and effect of C/N ratios on the aerobic granules simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal (SNDPR) system are still unclear. The reactor performance and microbial community dynamics of the system were investigated under variable C/N ratios (20, 10 and 5). The COD, TP and NH4+-N removal remained unaffected with variable C/N ratios. The decreased C/N ratio of five strongly influenced the nitrogen removal. Further investigations revealed that Candidatus_Accumulibacter, Acinetobacter, Candidatus_Competibacter were the predominant genera. Classification of key groups involved in nitrogen and phosphorus removal indicated the lowest C/N ratio resulting in a large microbial community shift. This study might contribute to the application of SNDPR system for the treatment of wastewater. Different C/N ratios led to shift on the microbial community and the dominant was phosphorus-accumulating bacteria. The nitrogen removal efficiency decreased while the removal of COD, TP and NH4+-N remained remarkable with the decreased C/N ratios.

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  1. College of Urban Construction, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China

    Jun Zhou & Qianyu Sun

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  1. Jun Zhou
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  2. Qianyu Sun
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Correspondence to Jun Zhou.

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Zhou, J., Sun, Q. Performance and microbial characterization of aerobic granular sludge in a sequencing batch reactor performing simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal with varying C/N ratios. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 43, 663–672 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-019-02264-w

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