Anoxic phosphorus removal by denitrifying heterotrophic bacteria.
The unexplained occurrence of anoxic phosphorus (P) accumulation has largely hampered modeling of nitrification denitrification biological excess P removal (NDBEPR) systems. The aim of this study was, therefore, to isolate and identify denitrifying-P accumulating heterotrophic bacteria (DPBs) from a NDBEPR system in order to evaluate anoxic P accumulation and the specific mechanisms involved. Results of the study showed various heterotrophic bacteria to be capable of anoxic P accumulation utilising nitrate (NO3) as electron acceptor. While Pseudomonas spp. predominated, Serratia spp. and Vibrio spp. demonstrated the most efficient anoxic P accumulation with 7.10 and 7.29 mgPO4-P/L removal, respectively, at an initial NO3 concentration of 13.54 mgNO3-N/L and P concentration of 16.34 mgPO4-P/L. Weaker DPBs were also identified which were only capable of accumulating small amounts of P at low initial P and NO3 concentrations due to weak denitrification capacity. Anoxic P release was also observed due to the presence of acetate.
Lacko
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Centre for Water and Wastewater Research, Technikon Natal, P O Box 953, Durban 4000, South Africa.
Drysdale
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GD
Bux
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F
D010100:Oxygen; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000502:physiology; D012705:Serratia / Q000502:physiology; D014733:Vibrio / Q000502:physiology; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
D010758:Phosphorus; D010100:Oxygen