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Abstract
In this study, simultaneous denitrification and phosphorus (P) removal were investigated in batch tests using nitrified mixed liquor and secondary wastewater influent from a full-scale treatment plant and different levels of acetate and propionate as supplemental carbon sources. Without supplemental carbon source, denitrification occurred at low rate and P release and P uptake was negatively affected (i.e., P removal of only 59.7%). When acetate and propionate were supplied, denitrification and P release occurred simultaneously under anoxic conditions. For acetate and propionate at a C/N stoichiometric ratio of 7.6, P release was negatively affected by denitrification. For acetate, the percent P removal and denitrification were very similar for C/N ratios of 22 (5X stoichiometric) and 59 (10X stoichiometric). For propionate, both percent P removal and denitrification deteriorated for C/N ratios of 22 (5X stoichiometric) and 45 (10X stoichiometric). It was observed that carbon source added in excess to stoichiometric ratio was consumed in the aerobic zone, but P was not taken up. This implies that PAO bacteria may utilize the excess carbon source in the aerobic zone rather than their polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) reserves, thereby promoting deterioration of the system.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the Clark County Water Reclamation District (CCWRD) of Las Vegas, USA, and a grant from the Graduate Professional Student Association of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). We would like to thank Mr. William Shepherd, Operations Manager of CCWRD, for his full support to this research. We also thank Dr. Richard F. Unz for his invaluable suggestions when reviewing this manuscript. We are very grateful for the technical writing review of Mrs. Julie Longo of the UNLV College of Engineering.