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Scrap Iron Filings assisted nitrate and phosphate removal in low C/N waters using mixed microbial culture

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Abstract

This study focuses on identifying the factors under which mixed microbial seeds assist bio-chemical denitrification when Scrap Iron Filings (SIF) are used as electron donors and adsorbents in low C/N ratio waters. Batch studies were conducted in abiotic and biotic reactors containing fresh and aged SIF under different dissolved oxygen concentrations with \({\rm{NO}}_3^ - {\rm{- N}}\) and/or PO43− influent(s) and their nitrate/phosphate removal and by-product formations were studied. Batch reactors were seeded with a homogenized mixed microbial inoculum procured from natural sludges which were enriched over 6 months under denitrifying conditions in the presence of SIF. Results indicated that when influent containing 40 mg/L of \({\rm{NO}}_3^ - {\rm{- N}}\) was treated with 5 g SIF, 79.9% nitrate reduction was observed in 8 days abiotically and 100% removal was accomplished in 20 days when the reactor was seeded. Both abiotic and seeded reactors removed more than 92% PO43− under high DO conditions in 12 days. Abiotic and biochemical removal of \({\rm{NO}}_3^ - {\rm{- N}}\) and abiotic removal of PO43− were higher under independent \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{O}}_3}^ - {\rm{- N/P}}{{\rm{O}}_4}^{3 -}\) loading, while 99% PO43− was removed biochemically under combined \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{O}}_3}^ - {\rm{- N}}\) and PO43− loading. This study furthers the understandings of nitrate and phosphate removal in Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) assisted mixed microbial systems to encourage the application of SIF-supported bio-chemical processes in the simultaneous removals of these pollutants.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the project grants supported by the Major Science and Technology Programs for Water Pollution Control and Management of China (Nos. 2012ZX07205-001 and 2017ZX7103-007).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Sanjena Narayanasamydamodaran, Jian’e Zuo & Haiteng Ren

  2. State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Nawnit Kumar

Authors
  1. Sanjena Narayanasamydamodaran
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  2. Jian’e Zuo
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  3. Haiteng Ren
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  4. Nawnit Kumar
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Correspondence to Jian’e Zuo.

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Highlights

• Microbes enhance denitrification under varying DO concentrations and SIF dosages.

• Abiotic nitrate reduction rates are proportional to SIF age and dosage.

• Over 80% of the simultaneously loaded \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{O}}_3}^ - {\rm{- N}}\) and PO43− is removed biologically.

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Narayanasamydamodaran, S., Zuo, J., Ren, H. et al. Scrap Iron Filings assisted nitrate and phosphate removal in low C/N waters using mixed microbial culture. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 15, 66 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-020-1358-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-020-1358-2

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