Evaluation of inhibitory effects of heavy metals on anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) by continuous feeding tests

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2014 Aug;98(16):6965-72. doi: 10.1007/s00253-014-5735-2. Epub 2014 Apr 11.

Abstract

To facilitate the application of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) to a nitrogen removal process, the effects of heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Co, Zn, and Mo) on anammox bacteria entrapped in gel carriers were examined by conducting continuous feeding tests for each metal. The results show that all anammox activities decreased by more than 10 % when influent concentrations of Ni, Cu, Co, Zn, and Mo were 5, 5, 5, 10, and 0.2 mg/L, respectively. It was observed that the effects of Ni, Cu, Co, and Zn on anammox activity were reversible and that of Mo on anammox activity was irreversible. Anammox activity was not affected when influent containing mixed Ni, Cu, Co, and Zn (0.5 mg/L) was fed into the reactor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ammonium Compounds / metabolism*
  • Anaerobiosis
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Bioreactors / microbiology
  • Culture Media / chemistry
  • Metals, Heavy / toxicity*
  • Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

  • Ammonium Compounds
  • Culture Media
  • Metals, Heavy