ENHANCEMENT OF ANAMMOX PROCESS IN FIXED NITROGEN REMOVAL AND ITS ASSOCIATED MICROBIAL ECOLOGY

Abstract

Anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria have been found ubiquitously in many wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and natural ecosystems and estimated to be responsible for more than 50% of total nitrogen cycling over the world. However, how these novel bacteria interact with other functional microorganisms for advanced nitrogen removal and the associated microbial ecology for rapid start-up of the anammox process remain unknown. This doctoral study reported the nitrogen loss mechanisms through the enhancement of anammox process by incorporating with ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), denitrifying bacteria or sulfur-related bacteria in different systems. The sulfur besides carbon can also be considered in the analysis of nitrogen loss. The findings in this study will provide us a better understanding of how anammox bacteria function in both natural systems and WWTPs, helping to inform application of the anammox process for advanced nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment systems and explain the nitrogen loss around the world.