Efficient nitrogen removal by multi-stage A/O mud membrane composite process with segmented influent: Performance and microbial community structure

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 250; p. 118446
• Main Authors: Zhang, Shaobo, Zhong, Dan, Cao, Yicheng, Ma, Wencheng, Zhou, Dapeng, Li, Zhaopeng, Gan, Yulin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Actual wastewater; Microbial community; Mud membrane composite process; Segmented influent; Segmented influent; Microbial community; Mud membrane composite process; Actual wastewater
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118446

In this paper, a multi-stage A/O mud membrane composite process with segmented influent was constructed for the first time and compared with the traditional activated sludge process and the multi-stage A/O pure membrane process with segmented influent. The nitrogen removal efficiency of the process under different influencing factors was studied. Under the optimum conditions, the highest removal rate of ammonia nitrogen can reach 99%, and the average removal rate of total nitrogen was 80%. The removal rate of COD in effluent reached 93%. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria was the highest in the multi-stage A/O mud membrane composite reactor with segmented influent. The community diversity and richness of activated sludge and biofilm in aerobic pool were the highest. Dechloromonas, Flavobacterium and Rhodobacter were dominant bacteria, and they were aerobic denitrifying bacteria that significantly contributed to the removal rate of ammonia nitrogen. [Display omitted] •The NH4+-N removal rate under the optimal operating conditions of this process is 99%.•This process can greatly reduce carbon source consumption in water treatment process.•Proteobacteria has the highest relative abundance in the constructed reactor.•Dechromonas, Flavobacterium and Rhodobacter take up a relatively high proportion.•The constructed process has the highest microbial richness among the three processes.