Response of poly-phosphate accumulating organisms to free nitrous acid inhibition under anoxic and aerobic conditions

Yan Zhou*, Lily Ganda, Melvin Lim, Zhiguo Yuan, Wun Jern Ng

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The response of free nitrous acid (FNA)-adapted poly-phosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) to FNA inhibition under aerobic and anoxic conditions was studied. Anoxic P-uptake was 1-6 times more sensitive to the inhibition compared to aerobic P-uptake. The aerobic nitrite reduction rate increased with FNA concentration, accompanied by an equivalent decrease in the oxygen uptake rate, suggesting under high FNA concentration conditions, electrons were channeled to nitrite reduction from oxygen reduction. In contrast, the nitrite reduction rate decreased with increased FNA concentration under anoxic conditions. Anaerobic metabolism of PAO under both anoxic and aerobic conditions was observed at high FNA concentrations. Growth of PAOs decreased sharply with FNA concentration and stopped completely at FNA concentration of 10μgHNO 2-N/L. This study, for the first time, investigated the function of nitrite/FNA in an aerobic denitrifying phosphate removal process by evaluating electron as well as energy balances, and provides explanation for FNA inhibition mechanisms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)340-347
Number of pages8
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume116
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Waste Management and Disposal

Keywords

  • Aerobic denitrification
  • Detoxification
  • Free nitrous acid (FNA)
  • Phosphate uptake
  • Poly-phosphate accumulating organism (PAO)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Response of poly-phosphate accumulating organisms to free nitrous acid inhibition under anoxic and aerobic conditions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this