Nitrogen removal from raw landfill leachate by an algae-bacteria consortium

Water Sci Technol. 2016;73(3):479-85. doi: 10.2166/wst.2015.499.

Abstract

A remediation system for the removal of nitrogen from landfill leachate by a mixed algae-bacteria culture was investigated. This system was designed to treat leachate with minimal inputs and maintenance requirements, and was operated as an open semi-batch reactor in an urban greenhouse. The results of this study showed a maximum nitrogen removal rate of 9.18 mg N/(L·day) and maximum biomass density of 480 mg biomass/L. The ammonia removal rates of this culture increased with increasing initial ammonia concentration; maximum nitrogen removal occurred at an ammonia concentration of 80 mg N-NH3/L. At starting ammonia concentrations above 80 mg N-NH3/L a reduction in nitrogen removal was seen; this inhibition is hypothesized to be caused by ammonia toxicity. This inhibiting concentration is considerably higher than that of many other published studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Microalgae / metabolism*
  • Nitrogen / metabolism*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Nitrogen