Autotrophic denitrification using Fe(II) as an electron donor: A novel prospective denitrification process

Yaning Wang; Shuang Ren; Peng Wang; Bo Wang; Kaiyao Hu; Jie Li; Yae Wang; Zongxing Li; Sumei Li; Wang Li; Yuzhuo Peng

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159721

Autotrophic denitrification using Fe(II) as an electron donor: A novel prospective denitrification process

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Feb 1;858(Pt 1):159721. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159721. Epub 2022 Oct 25.

Authors

Yaning Wang¹, Shuang Ren¹, Peng Wang², Bo Wang³, Kaiyao Hu¹, Jie Li⁴, Yae Wang¹, Zongxing Li⁵, Sumei Li⁶, Wang Li⁷, Yuzhuo Peng¹

Affiliations

¹ College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China.
² College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China. Electronic address: 0619081@stu.lzjtu.edu.cn.
³ School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China.
⁴ College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China; Gansu membrane science and technology research institute Co.,Ltd., Lanzhou 730020, China; Key Laboratory for Resources Utilization Technology of Unconventional Water of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730020, China.
⁵ Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin/Gansu Qilian Mountains Ecology Research Center, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.
⁶ College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
⁷ Taiyuan university of technology, Taiyuan 030024, China; State Key Laboratory of Clean and Efficient Coal Utilization, Taiyuan 030024, China.

PMID: 36306837
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159721

Abstract

As a newly identified nitrogen loss pathway, the nitrate-dependent ferrous oxidation (NDFO) process is emerging as a research hotspot in the field of low carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) wastewater treatment. This review article provides an overview of the NDFO process and summarizes the functional microorganisms associated with NDFO from different perspectives. The potential mechanisms by which external factors such as influent pH, influent Fe(II)/N (mol), organic carbon, and chelating agents affect NDFO performance are also thoroughly discussed. As the electron-transfer mechanism of the NDFO process is still largely unknown, the extensive chemical Fe(II)-oxidizing nitrite-reducing pathway (NDFO_chem) of the NDFO process is described here, and the potential enzymatic electron transfer mechanisms involved are summarized. On this basis, a three-stage electron transfer pathway applicable to low C/N wastewater is proposed. Furthermore, the impact of Fe(III) mineral products on the NDFO process is revisited, and existing crusting prevention strategies are summarized. Finally, future challenges facing the NDFO process and new research directions are discussed, with the aim of further promoting the development and application of the NDFO process in the field of nitrogen removal.

Keywords: Fe(II) oxidation; NDFO; Nitrate removal; Wastewater treatment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bioreactors
Carbon
Denitrification*
Electrons
Ferric Compounds
Ferrous Compounds* / metabolism
Nitrates / metabolism
Nitrogen
Nitrogen Oxides
Oxidation-Reduction
Prospective Studies
Wastewater

Substances

Ferrous Compounds
Ferric Compounds
Nitrates
Nitrogen Oxides
Nitrogen
Waste Water
Carbon