Partial nitrification-anaerobic ammonium oxidation (PN-anammox) was started up within 40 days by bioaugmentation and aeration control, and its performance in the treatment of anaerobic digestate of pig manure (ADPM) was evaluated. Inhibitors in ADPM decreased the nitrogen removal rate (NRR) by 0.24 g N/L/d. The effect and mechanism of hydroxylamine (NH2OH) alleviation of PN-anammox inhibition during ADPM treatment were investigated. As an intermediate product of anammox and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, NH2OH strengthened energy metabolism, improved the activity and abundance of functional bacteria, and eliminated miscellaneous bacteria, increasing the average NRR by 31%. However, the average nitrous oxide emission was increased by 10.1% via hydroxylamine oxidation. The results showed that synergy and competition among nitrogen-transforming microorganisms were crucial for NRR and that NH2OH played an essential role in maintaining efficient operation. This study lays a foundation for restoring PN-anammox for treating livestock wastewater.
Keywords: Adenosine triphosphate; Exogenous additive; Livestock wastewater; Nitrogen removal; Nitrous oxide.
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