Microbial contaminant removal and alternative nitrogen removal pathways in denitrifying bioreactors
type: CreativeWork
description: Denitrifying bioreactors, simple treatment systems consisting of a container filled with a particulate organic carbon source, are an effective and low-cost technology for the effective removal of nitrogen (N) from water by enhancing denitrification (i.e. the bacterial conversion of nitrate [NO3-] to N gas). To date, studies on denitrifying bioreactors have mainly focused on the ability of, and factors influencing, the removal of NO3- within these systems. In the research presented in this thesis, a more holistic view of denitrifying bioreactors was taken in which N removal was assessed in conjunction with the removal of faecal microbial contaminants. The objectives of this research were: (1) to assess how well denitrifying bioreactors can remove microbial contaminant loads from wastewater and (2) to assess the potential role of alternative N removal pathways, namely anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) and codenitrification for N removal in denitrifying bioreactors. The first part of this thesis focused on the removal of microbial contaminants in denitrifying bioreactors. Removal of microbial contaminants from wastewater is a key factor in wastewater treatment, since the contamination of receiving waters with inadequately treated wastewater can contribute to the transmission of infectious disease caused by waterborne pathogenic microorganisms. First, the removal of bacterial and viral indicators (Escherichia coli [E. coli] and F-specific RNA bacteriophage [FRNA bacteriophage]) was assessed along the longitudinal transect of a full-scale operating woodchip bioreactor (~114 m3 in size with 9 sampling wells along the length of the bioreactors) loaded with nitrified septic tank effluent. In addition to significant reduction in NO3- loads, the bioreactor demonstrated consistent and substantial reduction of E. coli (2.9 log10 reduction) and FRNA bacteriophage (3.9 log10 reduction) despite receiving highly fluctuating inflow concentrations (up to 3.5 × 105 MPN/100mL and …
abstract: Denitrifying bioreactors, simple treatment systems consisting of a container filled with a particulate organic carbon source, are an effective and low-cost technology for the effective removal of nitrogen (N) from water by enhancing denitrification (i.e. the bacterial conversion of nitrate [NO3-] to N gas). To date, studies on denitrifying bioreactors have mainly focused on the ability of, and factors influencing, the removal of NO3- within these systems. In the research presented in this thesis, a more holistic view of denitrifying bioreactors was taken in which N removal was assessed in conjunction with the removal of faecal microbial contaminants. The objectives of this research were: (1) to assess how well denitrifying bioreactors can remove microbial contaminant loads from wastewater and (2) to assess the potential role of alternative N removal pathways, namely anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) and codenitrification for N removal in denitrifying bioreactors. The first part of this thesis focused on the removal of microbial contaminants in denitrifying bioreactors. Removal of microbial contaminants from wastewater is a key factor in wastewater treatment, since the contamination of receiving waters with inadequately treated wastewater can contribute to the transmission of infectious disease caused by waterborne pathogenic microorganisms. First, the removal of bacterial and viral indicators (Escherichia coli [E. coli] and F-specific RNA bacteriophage [FRNA bacteriophage]) was assessed along the longitudinal transect of a full-scale operating woodchip bioreactor (~114 m3 in size with 9 sampling wells along the length of the bioreactors) loaded with nitrified septic tank effluent. In addition to significant reduction in NO3- loads, the bioreactor demonstrated consistent and substantial reduction of E. coli (2.9 log10 reduction) and FRNA bacteriophage (3.9 log10 reduction) despite receiving highly fluctuating inflow concentrations (up to 3.5 × 105 MPN/100mL and …
author: Rambags, Femke
keywords: wastewater treatment, nitrogen removal, nitrate, ammonium, viruses, bacteria, F-specific RNA bacteriophage, Escherichia coli, woodchip, coconut husk, gravel, treatment wetland
license: https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstreams/63d5eedd-10ea-4a68-98f3-bb59c0a816e2/download
date published: 2019
date modified: 2026-07-24T05:57:18Z
provider: University Waikato
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: The University of Waikato