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A dynamic analysis approach for determining nitrite production and consumption rates was established to systematically investigate the characteristics of nitrogen transformation and N 2 O emission of the completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process coupled with denitrification using a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR). The results indicate that anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria was not inhibited significantly by low C/N ratios. There were no obvious differences in the nitrite production rate, nitrite consumption rate or nitrogen removal among reactors operated with C/N ratios of 0, 0.67 and 1.00, which suggested that the certain carbon source did not significantly affect the nitrite conversion and nitrogen removal in the process. More than 60% of total N 2 O emission is generated during the initial phase of each period in the SBBR. More than 94.5% of N 2 O was generated by NO 2 −-N consumption via denitrification in the process. Interestingly, total N 2 O production drops by 16.7%, when the C/N ratio increases from 0 to 1. This phenomenon may be caused by the inhibition of N 2 O production via AOB denitrification. Therefore, an appropriate carbon source (C/N = 1.00) has the beneficial effect of reducing N 2 O emission by CANON coupled with denitrification. The results of this study provide an important empirical foundation for the mitigation of N 2 O emission in the CANON process coupled with denitrification. Image 1 • N conversion and N 2 O emission were investigated in a CANON coupled with DN process. • AOB and AnAOB were not inhibited significantly by low C/N ratios. • Low C/N ratios did not evidently affect nitrite conversion and nitrogen removal. • More than 94.5% of N 2 O was generated by NO 2 −-N consumption via denitrification. • The C/N ratio should be maintained at 1.00 for the N 2 O emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Continuous aeration in membrane-aerated biofilms resulted in full nitrification. • Intermittent aeration suppressed nitrite oxidation and supported anammox process. • Biofilm pH presented periodic upshifts with aeration switches. • Free ammonia speciation likely caused the inhibition of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. • Heterotrophs established nitrous oxide-reduction zones under intermittent aeration. Membrane-aerated biofilm reactors (MABR) are being applied for autotrophic nitrogen removal, yet control of nitrogen turnover remains challenging in MABR counter-diffusion biofilms. In this study, we regulated microbial activities in two lab-scale MABRs by providing continuous versus intermittent aeration. Nitrogen consumption by different functional microbial groups was estimated from bulk measurements via a mass balance approach. Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) proliferated under continuous aeration while they were significantly suppressed under intermittent aeration, and NOB suppression activated anaerobic ammonium oxidation. Nitritation performance in the MABR was studied through long-term bulk measurements and in situ biofilm microprofiles of dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH. During intermittent aeration pH effects rather than DO effects determined nitritation success, especially ammonia speciation, which serves as substrate and inhibitor in nitrification processes. Biofilm transition phases were monitored upon aeration switches. Canonical correspondence analysis suggested that the relative transition after anoxia and aeration intermittency were less decisive for biofilm performance than the relative aeration duration. Heterotrophic bacteria displayed minor denitrification rates with aeration control, but contributed to mitigation of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions. N 2 O production hotspots were identified at the top of the anoxic biofilm zone under continuous aeration. Instead, under intermittent aeration an anoxic N 2 O reduction zone was established. Our observations support intermittent aeration control of MABRs as a simple strategy for energy-efficient nitrogen removal with low N 2 O emission.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) with sulfur-autotrophic denitrification is a promising alternative for complete nitrogen removal. Herein, a novel anammox coupled with sulfite-driven autotrophic denitrification (ASDAD) is firstly proposed. The influence of pH (8.5–6.5) on nitrogen removal and N 2 O emission is investigated in an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor fed with low-nitrogen wastewater containing sulfite. Long-term operation demonstrates that a maximum nitrogen removal of 94.5% occurred at a pH of 7.5 and that the contribution of autotrophic denitrification to nitrogen removal increased as the pH declined. Cyclic and batch experiments verify that anammox and sulfite-autotrophic denitrification simultaneously participates in nitrogen removal, and the stoichiometry for sulfite-driven autotrophic denitrification is firstly proposed. Furthermore, N 2 O accumulation is also highly correlated with the pH. The N 2 O emission peaks at a pH of 6.5 due to the inactivated anammox and incomplete autotrophic denitrification of nitrite at such a low pH. High-throughput sequencing reveals the coexistence of anammox (Candidatus Brocadia and Candidatus Kuenenia) and sulfur-oxidizing species (Thiobacillus). Finally, the schema for nitrogen conversion and N 2 O formation of ASDAD is elucidated based on metagenomic metabolism. This study offers a cost-effective and environment-friendly completely autotrophic nitrogen removal process for municipal wastewater with a low carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in practice. [Display omitted] • A novel anammox-sulfite autotrophic denitrification (ASDAD) process was developed. • Optimal pH for maximum nitrogen removal of ASDAD was 7.5 • N 2 O emission factor was the highest as 0.71% at a pH of 6.5 • Co-existence of C. Brocadia , C. Kuenenia and Thiobacillus promoted ASDAD. • Schema for nitrogen conversion and N 2 O formation was elucidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]