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The process of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) of immobilized microorganisms in polyurethane form is discussed. The effect of different positions within the polyurethane carrier on microbial community response for the SND process is investigated by a combination of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles of the 16S rRNA gene V3 region and scanning electron microscopy. Results show that polyurethane, which consists of a unique porous structure, is an ideal platform for biofilm stratification of aerobe, anaerobe and facultative microorganisms in regard to the SND process. The community structure diversity response to different positions was distinct. The distributions of various functional microbes, detected from the surface aerobic stratification to the interior anaerobic stratification of polyurethane, were mainly nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. Meanwhile aerobic denitrifying bacteria such as Paracoccus sp., Agrobacterium rubi and Ochrobactrum sp. were also adhered to the interior and surface of polyurethane. The SND process occurring on polyurethane foam was carried out by two independent processes: nitrogen removal and aerobic denitrification.

In order to strengthen the activity of biofilm on the carrier surface, the tourmpaline on polyurethane (TPU) carrier was prepared using waterborne polyurethane as medium. The physical properties of TPU carrier were characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM) and water absorbency, and its effect on biofilm biomass and nitrifying ability was studied. The results showed that the tourmaline loading amount of TPU carrier can be affected by waterborne polyurethane. Tourmaline can optimize the number of polar groups of the TPU carrier and the pH of the nitrification condition. The amount of nitrobacteria and nitrate bacteria irreversibly adsorbed on the TPU carrier was increased by 74.82% and 71.89% , respectively. Correspondingly, the removing rate of NH+4 -N and NO-2 -N has risen by 8.12% and 9.08%, respectively, compared to the control without carrier. The TPU carrier was indicated to promote the nitrification.

To improve demulsifying property, the original biodemulsifier-producing bacterium, Bacillus mojavensis XH1, was mutated and bred by the combined treatment method using UV irradiation and niitrosoguanidine (NTG). A high efficient biodemulsifier-producing mutant XN5 with the better stability was obtained after continuous passages. The optimal cultural conditions were as follows: the mixture of 10 g/L glucose and 4 % liquid paraffin is the carbon source, the mixture of 4.0 g/L NH4Cl and 1.0 g/L yeast extract is nitrogen source, pH =6. 5 , the rotating rate is 140 r/min and the incubated time is 24 h. The 12 h and 24 h demulsification ratios of the mutant XN5 were 94. 17% and 98. 67% , which were 64. 81% and 15. 12% higher than that of the original strain XH1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]