Nitrogen removal in maturation ponds: tracer experiments with 15N-labelled ammonia

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (11) ◽  
pp. 81-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Camargo Valero ◽  
D.D. Mara
Keyword(s):  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Ammonium Nitrogen ◽  
Ammonia Removal ◽  
Influent Water ◽  
D 20 ◽  
Tracer Experiments

A primary maturation pond (M1) was spiked with labelled ammonium chloride (15NH4Cl) to track ammonium transformations associated with algal uptake and subsequent sedimentation. Conventional sampling based on grab samples collected from M1 influent, water column and effluent, and processed for unfiltered and filtered TKN, ammonium, nitrite and nitrate, found low total nitrogen removal (8%) and high ammonium nitrogen removal (90%). Stable isotope analysis of 15N from suspended organic and ammonium nitrogen fractions in M1 effluent revealed that labelled ammonium was mainly found in the organic fraction (69% of the 15N recovered), rather than the inorganic fraction (5%). Algal uptake was the predominant pathway for ammonia removal, even though conditions were favourable for ammonia volatilization (8.9 < pH <10.1 units, 15.2 < temperature <18.8 °C). Total nitrogen was removed by ammonia volatilization at 15 g N/ha d (3%), organic nitrogen sedimentation at 105 g N/ha d (20%), and in-pond accumulation due to algal uptake at 377 g N/ha d (71%). Algal uptake of ammonium and subsequent sedimentation and retention in the benthic sludge, after partial ammonification of the algal organic nitrogen, is thus likely to be the dominant mechanism for permanent nitrogen removal in maturation ponds during warm summer months in England.

Nitrogen removal via ammonia volatilization in maturation ponds

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (11) ◽  
pp. 87-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Camargo Valero ◽  
D.D. Mara
Keyword(s):  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Coming Out ◽  
Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
Ammonia Removal ◽  
Waste Stabilization Ponds ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Waste Stabilization

A simple apparatus was designed to collect ammonia gas coming out from waste stabilization ponds (WSP). The apparatus has a capture chamber and an absorption system, which were optimized under laboratory conditions prior to being used to assess ammonia volatilization rates in a pilot-scale maturation pond during summer 2005. Under laboratory conditions (water temperature = 17.1 °C and pH = 10.1), the average ammonia volatilization rate was 2,517 g NH3-N/ha d and the apparatus absorbed 79% of volatilized ammonia. On site, the mean ammonia volatilization rate was 15 g N/ha d, which corresponds to 3% of the total nitrogen removed (531 g N/ha d) in the maturation pond studied. A net nitrogen mass balance showed that ammonia volatilization was not the most important mechanism involved in either total nitrogen or ammonia removal. Nitrogen fractions (suspended organic nitrogen, soluble organic nitrogen, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate) from the M1 influent and effluent showed that ammonia is removed by biological (mainly algal) uptake and total nitrogen removal by sedimentation of dead algal biomass.

scholarly journals Further contributions to the understanding of nitrogen removal in waste stabilization ponds

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (11) ◽  
pp. 2635-2641 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. X. Bastos ◽  
E. N. Rios ◽  
I. A. Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Pond Water ◽  
Ammonia Removal ◽  
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket ◽  
Uasb Reactor ◽  
Anaerobic Sludge ◽  
Waste Stabilization

Abstract A set of experiments were conducted in Brazil in a pilot-scale waste stabilization pond (WSP) system (a four-maturation-pond series) treating an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor effluent. Over a year and a half the pond series was monitored under two flow rate conditions, hence also different hydraulic retention times and surface loading rates. On-site and laboratory trials were carried out to assess: (i) ammonia losses by volatilization using acrylic capture chambers placed at the surface of the ponds; (ii) organic nitrogen sedimentation rates using metal buckets placed at the bottom of the ponds for collecting settled particulate matter; (iii) nitrogen removal by algal uptake based on the nitrogen content of the suspended particulate matter in samples from the ponds' water column. In addition, nitrification and denitrification rates were measured in laboratory-based experiments using pond water and sediment samples. The pond system achieved high nitrogen removal (69% total nitrogen and 92% ammonia removal). The average total nitrogen removal rates varied from 10,098 to 3,849 g N/ha·d in the first and the last ponds, respectively, with the following fractions associated with the various removal pathways: (i) 23.5–45.6% sedimentation of organic nitrogen; (ii) 13.1–27.8% algal uptake; (iii) 1.2–3.1% ammonia volatilization; and (iv) 0.15–0.34% nitrification-denitrification.

Total Nitrogen Removal by Reverse Osmosis: Role of Biodegradable Dissolved Organic Nitrogen

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (19) ◽  
pp. 242-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murthy Kasi ◽  
Mitchell Swanson ◽  
Halis Simsek ◽  
Steve Ahlschlager ◽  
Kent Ritterman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Dissolved Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Total Nitrogen Removal

scholarly journals The Potential of Sewage Treatment through Constructed Wetlands in Northeast India: A Critical Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Getu Yoka ◽  
Ajay Bharti
Keyword(s):  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Ammonium Nitrogen ◽  
Northeast India ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Global Demand ◽  
Total Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Macrophyte Removal

The benefits of economical treatment systems and global demand for introducing sustainable way of environmental management, the Constructed Wetlands (CWs) treatment of domestic sewage is rising rapidly all over the globe. The Total nitrogen in the sewage is the summation of Organic Nitrogen, Nitrate Nitrogen, Nitrite Nitrogen and Ammonium Nitrogen. Ammonification, Matrix Adsorption, Nitrification, Denitrification, Plant Uptake and Ammonia Volatilization are the principle involved for total nitrogen removal in the treatment of sewage using CWs. This paper provides a comprehensive review by comparative analysis of effects of type and nature of flow system, wetland structures, types of Macrophyte, removal mechanisms, Aeration, Step-feeding and other key operational parameters and conditions for the enhance removal of total nitrogen in CWs.

scholarly journals Single-Stage Biofilm-Based Total Nitrogen Removal in a Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor: Impact of Aeration Mode, HRT and Scouring Intensity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadaf mehrabi ◽  
Dwight Houweling ◽  
Martha Dagnew
Keyword(s):  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Denitrifying Bacteria ◽  
Ammonia Removal ◽  
Biofilm Reactor ◽  
Single Stage ◽  
Total Nitrogen Removal ◽  
The Impact

Abstract High energy costs, organic carbon availability, and space limitation are some of the barriers faced by wastewater treatment processes. This research investigates the impact of membrane aeration mode, scouring intensity, and loading rate in a single-stage total nitrogen removal process in a membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR). Under ammonia loading of 2.7 g N/m2.d, continuous process aeration led to 1.7 g NH4-N/m2.d and 0.8 g TN/m2.d removal, respectively. Conversely, intermittent (5/12 min on/off) aeration resulted in 35% less ammonia removal but 34% higher total nitrogen (TN) removal. The MABR under ammonia load of 1.6 g N/m2.d showed an enhanced effluent quality with an average of 2.5 mg/L effluent ammonia concentration. This finding highlights the nitrification potential of a flow-through MABR as a standalone treatment step without any downstream process. Also, slough-off, a common issue in the biofilm process and was hypothesized to reduce the removal efficiency, showed increased ammonia removal rates by 20%. The microbial analysis indicated the dominant AOB and NOB species as Nitrosomonas spp. and Nitrospira spp, respectively. Moreover, the relative abundance of denitrifying bacteria (40.5%) were found twice in intermittently-aerated MABR compared to the continuously-aerated one (20.5%). However, NOB and denitrifying bacteria relative abundances were comparable where continuous air was supplied.

Ammonia volatilization from a piggery pond

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 183-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Shilton
Keyword(s):  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Significant Contribution ◽  
Ammonia Volatilization ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Removal Mechanism ◽  
Agricultural Wastewater ◽  
Total Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Wastewater Stabilization Ponds

There is a need to improve the performance of agricultural wastewater stabilization ponds. In particular, a better understanding of the relative importance of the nitrogen removal mechanisms is required. The objective of this study was to quantify the magnitude of ammonia volatilization from a piggery pond in order to determine its significance as a nitrogen removal mechanism. A model of a typical piggery pond was established and sampled for ammonia, TKN, COD and pH. A method was developed to allow the rate of ammonia volatilization to be quantified. The rates of ammonia and total nitrogen removal were established, as were the corresponding COD and pH levels over a series of pond ammonia concentrations. The rate of ammonia volatilization ranged from 355 to 1534 mg/m2.d, increasing with higher concentrations of ammonia and TKN. These rates compared well with volatilization rates from other types of piggery waste disposal. It was concluded that although it is impractical to use ammonia volatilization in its own right to achieve high levels of nitrogen removal, it does make a significant contribution to the overall nitrogen removal potential of a piggery pond system.

Performance of Treatment of Domestic Wastewater by Sequencing Batch Biofilm Reactor

2014 ◽  
Vol 955-959 ◽  
pp. 2318-2321
Author(s):  
Dong Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Removal Efficiency ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Ammonium Nitrogen ◽  
Biofilm Reactor ◽  
Simultaneous Nitrification And Denitrification ◽  
Sequencing Batch Biofilm Reactor ◽  
Total Nitrogen Removal

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performances of A lab-scale innovative sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) to treat domestic wastewater,in which a acryl cylinder (height 200 mm, diameter 70 mm) was equipped and many fiber threads were attached to the surface of the cylinder as the bacteria carrier. No time and volume for settling was required in this system. After one year’s operation, each parameter achieved the wastewater discharged criterion in 2 cycles (4 h). It was found that COD removal efficiency was up to 90% in 3 h, and ammonium nitrogen concentration approached the least value; total nitrogen removal efficiency reached 55%-71%. In this SBBR system simultaneous nitrification and denitrification was completed at the end of 2 cycles.

scholarly journals Nitrogen removal in maturation waste stabilisation ponds via biological uptake and sedimentation of dead biomass

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 1027-1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Camargo Valero ◽  
D. D. Mara ◽  
R. J. Newton
Keyword(s):  
Chlorophyll A ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Algal Cell ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Nitrogen Recycling ◽  
Dead Biomass

In this work a set of experiments was undertaken in a pilot-scale WSP system to determine the importance of organic nitrogen sedimentation on ammonium and total nitrogen removals in maturation ponds and its seasonal variation under British weather conditions, from September 2004 to May 2007. The nitrogen content in collected sediment samples varied from 4.17% to 6.78% (dry weight) and calculated nitrogen sedimentation rates ranged from 273 to 2868 g N/ha d. High ammonium removals were observed together with high concentrations of chlorophyll-a in the pond effluent. Moreover, chlorophyll-a had a very good correlation with the corresponding increment of VSS (algal biomass) and suspended organic nitrogen (biological nitrogen uptake) in the maturation pond effluents. Therefore, when ammonium removal reached its maximum, total nitrogen removal was very poor as most of the ammonia taken up by algae was washed out in the pond effluent in the form of suspended solids. After sedimentation of the dead algal biomass, it was clear that algal-cell nitrogen was recycled from the sludge layer into the pond water column. Recycled nitrogen can either be taken up by algae or washed out in the pond effluent. Biological (mainly algal) uptake of inorganic nitrogen species and further sedimentation of dead biomass (together with its subsequent mineralization) is one of the major mechanisms controlling in-pond nitrogen recycling in maturation WSP, particularly when environmental and operational conditions are favourable for algal growth.

Operational Results of the Wolfsburg Wastewater Treatment Plant

1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 203-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kayser ◽  
G. Stobbe ◽  
M. Werner
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Activated Sludge ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plant ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Phosphate Removal ◽  
Total Nitrogen Content ◽  
Activated Sludge Process

At Wolfsburg for a load of 100,000 p.e., the step-feed activated sludge process for nitrogen removal is successfully in operation. Due to the high denitrification potential (BOD:TKN = 5:1) the effluent total nitrogen content can be kept below 10 mg l−1 N; furthermore by some enhanced biological phosphate removal about 80% phosphorus may be removed without any chemicals.

Nitrogen removal from wastewater treatment lagoons

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J. Hurse ◽  
Michael A. Connor
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Nitrogen Removal ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Ammonia Removal ◽  
Contour Plot ◽  
Removal Mechanism ◽  
Dissolved Oxygen Concentration ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Contour Plots ◽  
Removal Processes

In an attempt to gain a better understanding of ammonia and nitrogen removal processes in multi-pond wastewater treatment lagoons, an analysis was carried out of data obtained during regular monitoring of Lagoon 115E at the Western Treatment Plant in Melbourne. To do this, a contour plot approach was developed that enables the data to be displayed as a function of pond number and date. Superimposition of contour plots for different parameters enabled the dependence of ammonia and nitrogen removal rates on various lagoon characteristics to be readily assessed. The importance of nitrification as an ammonia removal mechanism was confirmed. Temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration and algal concentration all had a significant influence on whether or not sizeable nitrifier populations developed and persisted in lagoon waters. The analysis made it evident that a better understanding of microbial, chemical and physical processes in lagoons is needed before their nitrogen removal capabilities can be predicted with confidence.

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