• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1221-1228
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• 2005

Carbon electrode was applied to a wastewater treatment system as biofilm media. The spatial distribution of heterotrophic bacteria in aerobic wastewater biofilm grown on carbon electrode was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and biomass measurement. Five volts of electric oxidation and reduction potential were charged to the carbon anode and cathode of the bioelectrochemical system, respectively, but were not charged to electrodes of a conventional system. To correlate the biofilm architecture of bacterial populations with their activity, the bacterial treatment efficiency of organic carbons was measured in the bioelectrochemical system and compared with that in the conventional system. In the SEM image, the biofilm on the anodic medium of the bioelectrochemical system looked intact and active; however, that on the carbon medium of the conventional system appeared to be shrinking or damaging. In the AFM image, the thickness of biofilm formed on the carbon medium was about two times of those on the anodic medium. The bacterial treatment efficiency of organic carbons in the bioelectrochemical system was about 1.5 times higher than that in the conventional system. Some denitrifying bacteria can metabolically oxidize $H_{2}$, coupled to reduction of $NO_{3}^{-}\;to\;N_{2}$. $H_{2}$ was produced from the cathode in the bioelectrochemical system by electrolysis of water but was not so in the conventional system. The denitrification efficiency was less than $22\%$ in the conventional system and more than $77\%$ in the bioelectrochemical system. From these results, we found that the electrochemical coupling reactions between aerobic and anaerobic reactors may be a useful tool for improvement of wastewater treatment and denitrification efficiency, without special manipulations such as bacterial growth condition control, C/N ratio (the ratio of carbon to nitrogen) control, MLSS returning, or biofilm refreshing.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.89-91
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• 2000

Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds are highly carcinogenic chemicals and common groundwater contaminants that are observed to persist in soils. The adherence and slow release of PAHs in soil is an obstacle to remediation and complicates the assessment of cleanup standards and risks. Biological degradation of PAHs in soil has been an area of active research because biological treatment may be less costly than conventional pumping technologies or excavation and thermal treatment. Biological degradation also offers the advantage to transform PAHs into non-toxic products such as biomass and carbon dioxide. Ample evidence exists for aerobic biodegradation of PAHs and many bacteria capable of degrading PAHs have been isolated and characterized. However, the microbial degradation of PAHs in sediments is impaired due to the anaerobic conditions that result from the typically high oxygen demand of the organic material present in the soil, the low solubility of oxygen in water, and the slow mass transfer of oxygen from overlying water to the soil environment. For these reasons, anaerobic microbial degradation technologies could help alleviate sediment PAH contamination and offer significant advantages for cost-efficient in-situ treatment. But very little is known about the potential for anaerobic degradation of PAHs in field soils. The objectives of this research were to assess: (1) the potential for biodegradation of PAH in field aged soils under denitrification conditions, (2) to assess the potential for biodegradation of naphthalene in soil microcosms under denitrifying conditions, and (3) to assess for the existence of microorganisms in field sediments capable of degrading naphthalene via denitrification. Two kinds of soils were used in this research: Harbor Point sediment (HPS-2) and Milwaukee Harbor sediment (MHS). Results presented in this seminar indicate possible degradation of PAHs in soil under denitrifying conditions. During the two months of anaerobic degradation, total PAH removal was modest probably due to both the low availability of the PAHs and competition with other more easily degradable sources of carbon in the sediments. For both Harbor Point sediment (HPS-2) and Milwaukee Harbor sediment (MHS), PAH reduction was confined to 3- and 4-ring PAHs. Comparing PAH reductions during two months of aerobic and anaerobic biotreatment of MHS, it was found that extent of PAHreduction for anaerobic treatment was compatible with that for aerobic treatment. Interestingly, removal of PAHs from sediment particle classes (by size and density) followed similar trends for aerobic and anaerobic treatment of MHS. The majority of the PAHs removed during biotreatment came from the clay/silt fraction. In an earlier study it was shown that PAHs associated with the clay/silt fraction in MHS were more available than PAHs associated with coal-derived fraction. Therefore, although total PAH reductions were small, the removal of PAHs from the more easily available sediment fraction (clay/silt) may result in a significant environmental benefit owing to a reduction in total PAH bioavailability. By using naphthalene as a model PAH compound, biodegradation of naphthalene under denitrifying condition was assessed in microcosms containing MHS. Naphthalene spiked into MHS was degraded below detection limit within 20 days with the accompanying reduction of nitrate. With repeated addition of naphthalene and nitrate, naphthalene degradation under nitrate reducing conditions was stable over one month. Nitrite, one of the intermediates of denitrification was detected during the incubation. Also the denitrification activity of the enrichment culture from MHS slurries was verified by monitoring the production of nitrogen gas in solid fluorescence denitrification medium. Microorganisms capable of degrading naphthalene via denitrification were isolated from this enrichment culture.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Recently, groundwater contamination by mixed occurrence of arsenic (As) and nitrate ($NO_3{^-}$) has been a serious environmental issue all around world. In this study, we investigated the microbial As(III) oxidation characteristic under denitrification process to examine the feasibility of the microbial consortia in wetland sediment to simultaneously treat these two contaminants. The detail objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of $NO_3{^-}$ on the oxidation of As(III) in anaerobic environments and observe the microbial community change during the As oxidation under denitrification process. Results showed that the As(III) was completely and simultaneously oxidized to As(V) under denitrification process, however, it occurred to a much less extent in the absence of sediment or $NO_3{^-}$. In addition, the significant increase of As(III) oxidation rate in the presence of $NO_3{^-}$ suggested the potential of As oxidation under denitrification by indigenous microorganisms in wetland sediment. Genera Pseudogulbenkiania, and Flavisolibacter were identified as predominant microbial species driving the redox process. Conclusively, this study can provide useful information on As(III) oxidation under denitrifying environment and contribute to develop an effective technology for simultaneous removal of As(III) and $NO_3{^-}$ in groundwater.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.82-94
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• 2021

Facilities for low impact development (LID) or groundwater recharge have the high potential spreading groundwater nitrate contamination because of the rapid infiltration. This study was initiated to remove nitrate from the waters using agricultural byproducts as organic sources for denitrification during infiltration. As the first step of this purpose, we experimentally tested the denitrifying efficiency of 4 organic materials (pine tree woodchips, cherry leaves, rice straws, and rice hulls) and tried to identify the key factors controlling the efficiency. For this study, we precisely investigated the change of chemical reactions during the experiment by analyzing various geochemical parameters. The result shows that the denitrification efficiency is not simply linked to the availability of the easily decomposable contents in the organic matter. It is found that avoiding the severe pH decrease due to the CO₂ generation is the essence to derive the efficient denitrifying conditions when organic matters were used.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.154-158
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• 2004

Recycled packed-bed reactor emploring immobilized microorganism was suggested in this paper for efficient denitrification. In the batch reactor, the effects of initial oxidation-reduction potential and nitrate concentration on denitrification were investigated. As the initial oxidation-reduction potential was decresed to -70 mV from ＋40 mV, the removal rate of nitrate was increased to 3.33 from 1.25 m9 NO$_3$$\^$-/-N/min under the experimental conditions. As the initial nitrate-N concentraion was increased to 200 mg/l, the removal rate of nitrate was proportional to the concentration of nitrate. When the concentration of nitrate-N was 400 mg/min, nitrite was detected, and when the initial nitrate-N concentration was reached at 1,000 mg/l, it took longer time for the complete nitrate removal. In order to decrease the initial oxidation-reduction potential and the nitrate-N concentration in the feed stream, the effluent was recycled to the influent stream in the packed-bed reactor. In the case of recycling, the initial oxidation-reduction potential was decreased to 30 mV from 150 mV, and the initial nitrate concentration could be decreased to 85 from 120 mg NO$_3$$\^$-/-N/l. As the result of recycling, the removal rate of nitrate was increased to 91.7% from 49.2%.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2005

Seasonal variations of remineralization and inorganic nitrogen removal capacity were measured from Dec. 2001 to Apr. 2004 in a tidal flat located in south-western pan of Gwanghwa island, Korea by measuring the sediment oxygen demand (SOD) and denitrification. SOD was higher in muddy sediment (Dong-Mak; three year average=$683;m^{-2}d^{-1}$) than sandy sediment(Yeocha; three year average=$457;m^{-2}d^{-1}$). The SOD was high in summer and tended to be lower in winter. During the sediment incubation in Apr. 2002, production of oxygen from sediment was observed implying active benthic photosynthesis. Denitrification was also higher in muddy sediment (Dong-Mak: $5.4;m^{-2}d^{-1}$) than sandy sediment (Yeocha; $3.4;m^{-2}d^{-1}$). The denitrification rate corresponds to the carbon remineralization rate of 9.3 and $5.9\;mg-C\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$ in Dong-Mak and Yeocha, respectively. The denitrification rates were lower compared to rates observed in other coastal area $(0{\sim}200\;{\mu}mole\;m^{-2}h^{-1})$. Although Kwanghwa tidal flat sediments are replete in organic matter, remineralization activity seems to be limited by the availability of labile organic matter. The Kwangwha tidal flat may have potential to effectively remove large load of organic matter. Net remineralization rates were 196 and $132\;mg-C\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$ in Dong-Mak and Yeocha, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.3-10
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• 2000

The main purpose of this study were to estimate the benthic fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) from the sediment and denitrification rates in tidal flats of the Keum river estuary. Sediment specimens were collected by a core sampler from three stations along the Keum river estuary in April, August and December, 1999. The sediments were composed of 1.18 %, 29.34 % and 69.49 % of gravel and sand, sand and silt, respectively. The mean ignition loss of the sediment was found 6.7 % and its Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) was measured -12 mV. The total hydrogen sulfides was determined about 0.26 mg/gㆍdry. The estimated outflux of ammonium was found 11.2 m mole N/m²ㆍday from the sediment, whereas -1.09 m mole N/m²ㆍday of influx was obtained for nitrate and nitrite through the incubation experiment of sediment cores. Total DIN flux was 10.2 m mole N/m²ㆍday outflux from the sediment. From the incubation experiments executed with the flux studies, mean denitrification rate was found 30.6 m mole N₂/m²ㆍday measured by the direct assay of N₂ production technique. On the basis that DIN flux and denitrification rate in sediment of tidal flat of the Keum river estuary are may be effects to control the algal biomass in the coastal environment, it seems inevitable to pay more attention to investigate the flux of DIN and denitrification rate in tidal flat of the Keum river estuary.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 1999

Subsurface environments, including the intermediate vadose zone and aquifers, may be contributing to increased atmospheric concentrations of $N_2$O. Denitrification appears to be the major source of $N_2$O in the subsurface environment. In the intermediate vadose zone, the level of denitrifying activity is dependent on the soil morphology, particularly stratified layers within the soil profile, which impede water and solute movement and create conditions favorable for denitrification. Movement of organic C from the soil surface appears to support denitrifying activity by providing an energy source and increasing the consumption of $O_2$. Denitrirication and $N_2$O production have been observed in aquifers but appear to be of greatest significance in shallow unconfined aquifers. The lack of organic C, N $O_2$, or anaerobiosis is often a limiting factor for activity but seems to be site specific. The presence of denitrifying bacteria does not appear to be a major limitation, based on published results, but the ubiquity of denitrifiers in subsurface environments needs to be confirmed. The fate of the $N_2$O produced in subsurface environments is unknown. Transport of $N_2$O by up ward diffusion, by outgassing at contacts with surface waters, and by ground water use need to be quantified to determine the contribution to atmospheric $N_2$O. Contamination of subsurface environment with N $O_3$$^{ }$ and organics has the potential for increasing the contribution to atmospheric $N_2$O by enhancing denitrification .

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.86-96
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• 1998

In this study, an intermittently aerated activated sludge process, modified process from conventional activated sludge process, was developed to treat high strength swine wastewater, which has been blamed as major pollutant for stream pollution. Therefore, the optimum cycle for oxic and anoxic period, SRT, and OLR were studied as design parameters. The effects of different time interval for oxic and anoxic period on nitrification and denitrification were examined by operating two reactors with 60/60min and 60/90min as oxic/anoxic period. Although the reactor with 60/60min showed complete denitrification of $NO_x-N$ generated during oxic period, the reactor with 60/90min showed incomplete nitrification due to the inactivity of nitrifier by accumulated $NH_3-N$ toxicity during anoxic period. Therefore, it is recommended to operate same interval for oxic and anoxic period. In order to determine the optimum cycle for oxic/anoxic period, four different reactors with 30/30, 60/60, 90/90 and 120/120min were examined. The reactor operation with 90/90min was optimum to get the most stable results in this study. However, the optimum cycle for oxic and anoxic period should be changed with characteristics of influent wastewater and operating conditions. According to lie operation results of three reactors with SRT of 15, 20 and 30days. The reactor with 2Odays SRT showed best removal efficiency of T-N. The optimum OLR would be $2.5Kg\;COD/m^3/day$ which showed the most stable nitrification and denitrification. Since characteristics of influent wastewater in the real system has a severe fluctuation, so it is very difficult to determine each interval for oxic and anoxic period. Therefore, ORP curves, describing the change of oxidation/reduction potential in reactor, can be used as a control parameter for automatic control of oxic and anoxic period. In other words, bending point (Nitrate Knee) of ORP curve during anoxic period could be used as a starting point of oxic period.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2018

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the removal characteristics of total nitrogen, the influence factor of denitrification and the optimum operating condition in the pigment wastewater treatment using PAC-A/O process. The operating conditions of PAC-A/O process were mean BOD volumetric loading $0.86kgBOD/m^3/day$, mean F/M ratio 0.072~0.13 kgBOD/kgMLVSS/day and mean C/N ratio 3.47, respectively. The conditions of anoxic process in the field plant test were mean pH 8.3~8.7 and mean temperature $34.1{\sim}44.0^{\circ}C$. The ORP bending point knee was eventually appeared in the ORP -107 mV and $NO_3{^-}-N$ removal efficiency was increased according to the ORP decrease. In the ORP -107 mV below condition, the removal efficiency of T-N and $NO_3{^-}-N$ was 92.3~95.0% and 98.5~99.7%. Denitrification rate was calculated to be 1.581~1.791 mg $NO_3{^-}-N/gMLSS/hr$. The experimental results showed that the ORP control in the PAC-A/O process could be an effective method for treatment of pigment wastewater.