title: Hydrogenotrophic denitrification process efficiency and the number of denitrifying bacteria (MPN) in the sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) with platinum and carbon anodes.
abstract: This work reports on the effect of electric current density and anode material (platinum, carbon) on the concentration of oxidized and mineral forms of nitrogen, on physical parameters (pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity) and the number of denitrifying bacteria in the biofilm (MPN). Experiments were conducted under anaerobic conditions without and with the flow of electric current (with density of 79 mA · m(-2) and 132 mA · m(-2)). Results obtained in the study enabled concluding that increasing density of electric current caused a decreasing concentration of nitrate in the reactor with platinum anode (R1) and carbon anode (R2). Its concentration depended on anode material. The highest hydrogenotrophic denitrification efficiency was achieved in R2 in which the process was aided by inorganic carbon (CO2) that originated from carbon anode oxidation and the electrical conductivity of wastewater increased as a result of the presence of HCO3(-) and CO3(2-) ions. Strong oxidizing properties of the platinum anode (R1) prevented the accumulation of adverse forms of nitrogen, including nitrite and ammonia. The increase in electric current density affected also a lower number of denitrifying bacteria (MPN) in the biofilm in both reactors (R1 and R2). Metal oxides accumulated on the surface of the cathode had a toxic effect upon microorganisms and impaired the production of a hydrogen donor.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Environment Engineering , University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn , Olsztyn , Poland.
authors.forename: Izabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kłodowska
authors.affiliation: a Department of Environment Engineering , University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn , Olsztyn , Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodziewicz
authors.affiliation: a Department of Environment Engineering , University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn , Olsztyn , Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Janczukowicz
authors.affiliation: b Department of Environmental Microbiology , University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn , Olsztyn , Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gotkowska-Płachta
authors.affiliation: c Department of Environmental Biotechnology , University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn , Olsztyn , Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cydzik-Kwiatkowska
mesh_terms: D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D058440:Denitrification; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010984:Platinum / Q000737:chemistry*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen; D010984:Platinum; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: Carbon anode; electrolysis; hydrogenotrophic denitrification; number of denitrifying bacteria (MPN); platinum anode; sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR)