Effects of substrates on N2O emissions in an anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) reactor

Yue Jin; Dunqiu Wang; Wenjie Zhang

doi:10.1186/s40064-016-2392-1

Effects of substrates on N2O emissions in an anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) reactor

Springerplus. 2016 Jun 16;5(1):741. doi: 10.1186/s40064-016-2392-1. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Yue Jin¹, Dunqiu Wang², Wenjie Zhang²

Affiliations

¹ Guangxi Key Laboratory of New Energy and Building Energy Saving, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Guilin University of Technology, 12, Jiangan Road, Guilin, 541004 China.
² Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004 China ; Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Water Pollution Control and Water Safety in Karst Area, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004 China.

Abstract

N2O emission in the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process is of growing concern. In this study, effects of substrate concentrations on N2O emissions were investigated in an anammox reactor. Extremely high N2O emissions of 1.67 % were led by high NH4-N concentrations. Results showed that N2O emissions have a positive correlation with NH4-N concentrations in the anammox reactor. Reducing NH4-N concentrations by recycling pump resulted in decreasing N2O emissions. In addition, further studies were performed to identify a key biological process that is contributed to N2O emissions from the anammox reactor. Based on the results obtained, Nitrosomonas, which can oxidize ammonia to nitrite, was deemed as the main sources of N2O emissions.

Keywords: Anammox; N2O; NH4-N; Substrate concentrations.