Nitrate-contaminated groundwater remediation by combined autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification for sulfate and pH control: batch tests

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2013 Dec;20(12):9084-91. doi: 10.1007/s11356-013-1623-z. Epub 2013 Mar 26.

Abstract

Groundwater remediation was evaluated for combined autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification under high (154 mg/L as CaCO3) and low (95 mg/L as CaCO3) alkaline conditions. Two levels of acetate (47 and 94 mg/L) and ethanol (24 and 48 mg/L) were added to the reactors. Obtained denitrification rates were 2.89, 2.58, 3.55, 1.96, and 2.0 mg-N/L · h for high alkaline conditions, whereas under low alkaline conditions has given 2.36, 1.94, 2.47, 2.74, and 2.29 mg-N/L · h for control, 47 and 94 mg/L acetate, and 24 and 48 mg/L ethanol, respectively. Nitrite was accumulated for controls but reactors with acetate and ethanol did not accumulate nitrite. Acetate and ethanol addition decreased sulfate to nitrate ratios in the range of 4.5-7.58 for high alkaline conditions (12.77 for control) and 4.43-6.78 for low alkaline conditions (7.90 for control). Acetate was more efficient compared with ethanol in controlling sulfate production and pH maintenance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autotrophic Processes
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Denitrification*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation / methods*
  • Groundwater / chemistry*
  • Heterotrophic Processes
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Nitrates / analysis
  • Nitrates / metabolism
  • Nitrites / analysis
  • Nitrites / metabolism
  • Sulfates / analysis*
  • Sulfates / metabolism
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*

Substances

  • Nitrates
  • Nitrites
  • Sulfates
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical