Evaluating Microbial Interactions of Autotrophs and Heterotrophs in Partial Nitritation/Anammox (PN/A) Process by Experimental and Simulation Analyses

The microbial interactions between autotrophs and heterotrophs by the exchange of products in a partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) bioreactor were evaluated with both experimental simulation analyses. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that anammox bacteria (AMX) ammonium oxidizing (AOB) made up 56.59% 8.35% total bacteria, respectively, while identified as Chloroflexi also constituted large portion (32.76%) reactor, even without an external organic carbon supply. Furthermore, mathematical model was developed to describe growth on soluble (SMP), which released from metabolism autotrophs. After calibration validation, results consistent observations composition nitrogenous transformations. According analysis, bulk oxygen concentration determined be dominant factor governing reactor performance biomass fractions granule. Increasing granular size could decrease heterotrophic growth, but has little effect effluent SMP. Results this study establish better understanding eco-physiological PN/A process.