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Microbial and metabolic characterization of a denitrifying phosphorus-uptake/side stream phosphorus removal system for treating domestic sewage

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Abstract

In this study, an advanced wastewater treatment process, the denitrifying phosphorus/side stream phosphorus removal system (DPR-Phostrip), was developed for the purpose of enhancing denitrifying phosphorus removal. The enrichment of denitrifying phosphorus-accumulating organisms (DPAOs) and the microbial community structure of DPR-Phostrip were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), and the metabolic activity of seed sludge and activated sludge collected after 55 days of operation were evaluated by Biolog™ analysis. This experimental study of DPR-Phostrip operation showed that nutrients were removed effectively, and denitrifying phosphorus removal was observed during the pre-anoxic period. PCR-DGGE analysis indicated that DPR-Phostrip supported DPAO growth while inhibiting PAOs and GAOs. The major dominant species in DPR-Phostrip were Bacteroidetes bacterium, Saprospiraceae bacterium, and Chloroflexi bacterium. Moreover, the functional diversity indices calculated on the basis of Biolog analysis indicated that DPR-Phostrip had almost no effect on microbial community diversity but was associated with a shift in the dominant species, which confirms the results of the PCR-DGGE analysis. The results for average well color development, calculated via Biolog analysis, showed that DPR-Phostrip had a little impact on the metabolic activity of sludge. Further principal component analysis suggested that the ability to utilize low-molecular-weight organic compounds was reduced in DPR-Phostrip.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51108483), the National Critical Patented Projects in the Control and Management of the Polluted Water Bodies (No. 2013ZX07315-001) and Natural Science Foundation Project of CQ CSTC (No. cstcjjA20002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University (B Campus), No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400030, China

    Zhan Jin, Fang-ying Ji, Xuan Xu, Xiao-yi Xu, Qing-kong Chen & Qi Li

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  1. Zhan Jin
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  2. Fang-ying Ji
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  3. Xuan Xu
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  4. Xiao-yi Xu
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  5. Qing-kong Chen
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  6. Qi Li
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Correspondence to Fang-ying Ji or Xiao-yi Xu.

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Jin, Z., Ji, Fy., Xu, X. et al. Microbial and metabolic characterization of a denitrifying phosphorus-uptake/side stream phosphorus removal system for treating domestic sewage. Biodegradation 25, 777–786 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-014-9698-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10532-014-9698-x

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