Effect of Slash Burning on Nutrient Removal and Soil Fertility in Chinese Fir and Evergreen Broadleaved Forests of Mid-Subtropical China

A Chinese fir forest (Cunninghamia lanceolata, CF) and an evergreen broadleaved forest (EB) located inFujian Province, southeastern China, were examined following slash burning to compare nutrient capital andtopsoil properties with pre-burn levels. After fire, nutrient (N, P and K) removal from burning residues wasestimated at 302.5 kg ha-1 in the CF and 644.8 kg ha-1 in the EB. Fire reduced the topsoil capitals of totalN and P by about 20% and 10%, respectively, in both forests, while K capital was increased in the topsoils ofboth forests following fire. Total site nutrient loss through surface erosion was 28.4 kg (N) ha-1, 8.4 kg (P)ha-1 and 328.7 kg (K) ha-1 in the CF. In the EB, the losses of total N, P and K were 58.5, 10.5 and 396.3kg ha-1, respectively. Improvement of soil structure and increase in mineralization of nutrients associatedwith increased microbe number and enzyme activities and elevated soil respiration occurred 5 days after fire.However, organic matter and available nutrient contents and most of other soil parameters declined one yearafter fire on the burned CF and EB topsoils. These results suggest that short-term site productivity canbe stimulated immediately, but reduced subsequently by soil and water losses, especially in South China,where high-intensity precipitation, steep slopes and fragile soil can be expected. Therefore, the silviculturalmeasurements should be developed in plantation management.

Enhanced Biological Nutrients Removal in Modified Step-feed Anaerobic/Anoxic/Oxic Process

In order to enhance phosphorus removal in traditional step-feed anoxic/oxic nitrogen removal process,a modified pilot-scale step-feed anaerobic/anoxic/oxic(SFA 2/O) system was developed,which combined a reactor similar to UCT-type configuration and two-stage anoxic/oxic process.The simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal capacities and the potential of denitrifying phosphorus removal,in particular,were investigated with four different feeding patterns using real municipal wastewater.The results showed that the feeding ratios(Q1)in the first stage determined the nutrient removal performance in the SFA 2/O system.The average phosphorus removal efficiency increased from 19.17% to 96.25% as Q1 was gradually increased from run 1 to run 4,but the nitrogen removal efficiency exhibited a different tendency,which attained a maximum 73.61%in run 3 and then decreased to 59.62%in run 4.As a compromise between nitrogen and phosphorus removal,run 3 (Q1=0.45Qtotal) was identified as the optimal and stable case with the maximum anoxic phosphorus uptake rate of 1.58 mg·(g MLSS)-1 ·h-1.The results of batch tests showed that ratio of the anoxic phosphate uptake capacity to the aerobic phosphate uptake capacity increased from 11.96% to 36.85% with the optimal influent feeding ratio to the system in run 3,which demonstrated that the denitrifying polyP accumulating organisms could be accumulated and contributed more to the total phosphorus removal by optimizing the inflow ratio distribution.However,the nitrate recirculation to anoxic zone and influent feeding ratios should be carefully controlled for carbon source saving.

Waste Activated Sludge Alkaline Fermentation Liquid as Carbon Source for Biological Nutrients Removal in Anaerobic Followed by Alternating Aerobic-Anoxic Sequencing Batch Reactors

Activated sludge process has been widely used to remove phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater. However,the nitrogen and phosphorus removal is sometimes unsatisfactory due to the low influent COD.Another problem with the activated sludge process is that large amount of waste activated sludge is produced,which needs further treatment.In this study,the waste activated sludge alkaline fermentation liquid was used as the main carbon source for phosphorus and nitrogen removal under anaerobic followed by alternating aerobic-anoxic conditions,and the results were compared with those using acetic acid as the carbon source.The use of alkaline fermentation liquid not only affected the transformations of phosphorus,nitrogen,intracellular polyhydroxyalkanoates and glycogen, but also led to higher removal efficiencies for phosphorus and nitrogen compared with acetic acid.It was observed that ammonium was completely removed with either alkaline fermentation liquid or acetic acid as the carbon source. However,the former resulted in higher removal efficiencies for phosphorus(95%)and nitrogen(82%),while the latter showed lower ones(87%and 74%,respectively).The presence of a large amount of propionic acid in the alkaline fermentation liquid was one possible reason for its higher phosphorus removal efficiency.Exogenous instead of endogenous denitrification was the main pathway for nitrogen removal with the alkaline fermentation liquid as the carbon source,which was responsible for its higher nitrogen removal efficiency.It seems that the alkaline fermentation liquid can replace acetic acid as the carbon source for phosphorus and nitrogen removal in anaerobic fol- lowed by alternating aerobic-anoxic sequencing batch reactor.

Enhanced biological nutrients removal using an integrated oxidation ditch with vertical circle from wastewater by adding an anaerobic column

Compared to conventional oxidation ditches, an integrated oxidation ditch with vertical circle （IODVC） has the characters of concise configuration, simple operation and maintenance, land saving and automatical sludge returning. By the utilization of vertical circulation, an aerobic zone and an anoxic zone can be unaffectedly formed in the IODVC. Therefore, COD and nitrogen can be efficiently removed. However, the removal efficiency of phosphorus was low in the IODVC. In the experiment described, a laboratory scale system to add an anaerobic column to the IODVC has been tested to investigate the removal of phosphorus from wastewater. The experimental results showed that the removal efficiency of TP with the anaerobic column was increased to 54.0% from 22.3% without the anaerobic column. After the acetic sodium was added into the influent as carbon sources, the mean TP removal efficency of 77. 5 % was obtained. At the same time, the mean removal efficiencies of COD, TN and NH3-N were 92.2%, 81.6% and 98.1%, respectively, at 12 h of HRT and 21-25 d of SRT. The optimal operational conditions in this study were as follows： recycle rate = 1.5-2.0, COD/TN 〉 6, COD/TP 〉 40, COD loading rate = 0.26-0.32 kgCOD/（kgSS· d）, TN loading rate = 0. 028-0. 034 kgTN/（ kgSS·d） and TP loading rate = 0.003-0.005 kgTP/（kgSS· d）, respectively.

Model assessment of nutrient removal via planting Sesuvium portulacastrum in floating beds in eutrophic marine waters:the case of aquaculture areas of Dongshan Bay

Many coastal seas are severely eutrophic and required to reduce nutrient concentrations to meet a certain water quality standard.We proposed a method for nutrient removal by planting Sesuvium portulacastrum at the water surface using the floating beds in the aquaculture area of the Dongshan Bay as an example,which is an important net-cage culture base in China and where dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN)and dissolved inorganic phosphate(DIP)reach 0.75 mg/L and 0.097 mg/L,respectively far exceeding China’s Grade IV water quality standards.Numerical simulations were taken using the ecological model,field observations and field plantation experimental results to assess the environmental restoration effects of planting S.portulacastrum at some certain spatial scales.Our field experiments suggested that the herbs can absorb 377 g/m^2 nitrogen and 22.9 g/m^2 phosphorus in eight months with an inserting density of^60 shoot/m^2.The numerical experiments show that the greater the plantation area is,the more nutrient removal.Plantation in^12%of the study area could lower nutrients to the required Grade II standards,i.e.,0.2 mg/L<DIN≤0.3 mg/L and 0.015 mg/L<DIP≤0.03 mg/L.Here the phytoremediation method and results provide helpful references for environmental restoration in other eutrophic seas.

Performance evaluation of a modified step-feed anaerobic/anoxic/oxic process for organic and nutrient removal

A pilot scale modified step-feed process was lmproved to increase nutrient/N ano P） ano organic removal operations from municipal wastewater. It combined the step-feed process and a method named ＂University of Cape Town （UCT）＂. The effect of nutrient ratios and inflow distribution ratios were studied. The highest uptake efficiency of 95% for chemical oxygen demand （COD） has been achieved at the inflow distribution ratio of 40/35/25. However, maximum removal efficiency obtained for total nitrogen （TN） and phosphorus at 93% and 78%, respectively. The average mixed liquor suspended solids （MLSS） was 5500 mg·L- 1. In addition, convenient values for dissolved oxygen （DO） concentration, and pH were obtained throughout different stages. The proposed system was identified to be an appropriate enhanced biological nutrient removal process for wastewater treatment plants owing to relatively high nutrient removal, sturdy sludge settle ability and COD removal.

Biological Nutrient Removal in a Full Scale Anoxic/Anaerobic/Aerobic/ Pre-anoxic-MBR Plant for Low C/N Ratio Municipal Wastewater Treatment

A novel full scale modified A2O （anoxic/anaerobic/aerobic/pre-anoxic）-membrane bioreactor （MBR） plant combined with the step feed strategy was operated to improve the biological nutrient removal （BNR） from low C/N ratio municipal wastewater in Southern China. Transformation of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, and membrane fouling were investigated. Experimental results for over four months demonstrated good efficiencies for chemical oxygen demand （COD） and NH4^＋-N removal, with average values higher than 84.5%and 98.1%, re-spectively. A relatively higher total nitrogen （TN） removal efficiency （52.1%） was also obtained at low C/N ratio of 3.82, contributed by the configuration modification （anoxic zone before anaerobic zone） and the step feed with a distribution ratio of 1：1. Addition of sodium acetate into the anoxic zone as the external carbon source, with a theoretical amount of 31.3 mg COD per liter in influent, enhanced denitrification and the TN removal efficiency in-creased to 74.9%. Moreover, the total phosphate （TP） removal efficiency increased by 18.0%. It is suggested that the external carbon source is needed to improve the BNR performance in treating low C/N ratio municipal waste-water in the modified A^2O-MBR process.

Enhanced biological nutrient removal in modified carbon source division anaerobic anoxic oxic process with return activated sludge pre-concentration

A pilot-scale modified carbon source division anaerobic anoxic oxic(AAO) process with pre-concentration of returned activated sludge(RAS) was proposed in this study for the enhanced biological nutrient removal(BNR) of municipal wastewater with limited carbon source. The influent carbon source was fed in step while a novel RAS pre-concentration tank was adopted to improve BNR efficiency, and the effects of an influent carbon source distribution ratio and a RAS pre-concentration ratio were investigated. The results show that the removal efficiency of TN is mainly influenced by the carbon source distribution ratio while the TP removal relies on the RAS pre-concentration ratio. The optimum carbon source distribution ratio and RAS pre-concentration ratio are 60% and 50%, respectively, with an inner recycling ratio of 100% under the optimum steady operation of pilot test, reaching an average effluent TN concentration of 9.8 mg·L-1with a removal efficiency of 63% and an average TP removal efficiency of 94%. The mechanism of nutrient removal is discussed and the kinetics is analyzed. The results reveal that the optimal carbon source distribution ratio provides sufficient denitrifying carbon source to each anoxic phase, reducing nitrate accumulation while the RAS pre-concentration ratio improves the condition of anaerobic zone to ensure the phosphorus release due to less nitrate in the returned sludge. Therefore, nitrifying bacteria, denitrifying bacteria and phosphorus accumulation organisms play an important role under the optimum condition, enhancing the performance of nutrient removal in this test.

Nutrient Removal Efficiencies of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i>from Urban Wastewater for Reduced Eutrophication

Urban wastewater contains both organic and inorganic nutrients and discharge of untreated water increases nitrogen and phosphorous content in water bodies leading to eutrophication problem. Physical and chemical treatment of urban waste water produces large quantities of waste sludge associated with secondary pollution. Microalgae can assimilate nutrients especially nitrogen and phosphorous from wastewater for their growth and produce valuable biomass and lipid. This study was performed to determine the growth of Chlorella vulgaris in urban wastewater (UWW) and Bold’s basal medium (BBM) thereby identifying cost effective growth medium for microalga cultivation. In addition, nutrient removal abilities of C. vulgaris from various dilutions of urban waste water were explored at 10 days cultivation period. Specific growth rate, biomass and lipid content were higher in microalgae grown in urban waste water than BBM. The highest lipid productivity of 14.31 mg·L?1·day?1 was achieved in the culture grown in UWW medium which exceeded the BBM at 1.15 fold. The amount of nutrient removal tended to increase with higher dilutions of UWW. Removal rates of upto 87.9% and 98.4% were recorded for total nitrogen and total phosphorous by C. vulgaris. The results emphasized that urban waste water as a cost effective growth medium for higher biomass and lipid production accompanied with the nutrient removal efficiency of microalgae to reduce eutrophication.

Effects of Planting Methods on Root Yield and Nutrient Removal of Five Cassava Cultivars Planted in Late Rainy Season in Northeastern Thailand

The objectives of this study were to evaluate growth, yield and nutrients removal of five cassava cultivars planted by different planting methods in late rainy season of northeastern Thailand. A split plot design was used in this study. The planting methods (vertical and horizontal) were assigned as main-plots. Cassava cultivars (Rayong-7, Rayong-11, Rayong-72, Huaybong-80 and E-dum) were assigned as sub-plots with four replications. Results showed that vertical planting gave significantly higher fresh storage root yield than those of horizontal planting, across five cassava cultivars. The cultivar Rayong-7 produced maximum fresh storage root yield across two planting methods, but not significantly different from Rayong 11, Huaybong 80 and Edum cultivars. Irrespective of nutrient removal, N, P and K removed ranges from 2.9 - 3.6, 0.8 - 1.3 and 5.3 - 7.9 kg per ton fresh root weight, respectively depending on cassava cultivar. The cultivar Rayong-7 removed the highest quantities of N, and the cultivar Rayong-11 removed maximum of P and K in the present study. Regardless of nutrient removal at different plant parts;N, P and K removed maximum quantities in leaf, stem and storage root, respectively. Planting method had no significant effect on N and P removal, but significant effect on K removal. The vertical planting removed K higher than those of horizontal planting.

Microalgal Cultivation in Secondary Effluents:Enhancement of Algal Biomass,Nutrient Removal,and Lipid Productivity

The growth performance,nutrient removal,lipid accumulation and morphological changes of Cyanobacterium aponinum OUC1 and Scenedesmus obliquus which were cultured in secondary effluents from two wastewater treatment plants:Tuandao Wastewater Treatment Plant(ETD)and Licun River Wastewater Treatment Plant(ELR)were investigated.The results showed that both C.aponinum OUC1 and S.obliquus have superior growth performances in both undiluted effluents,while the better of them was that in ETD effluent,with cell densities of C.aponinum OUC1 and S.obliquus increased by 159%and 66%over that of BG11(control),respectively.Regarding nutrient removal,S.obliquus could completely remove inorganic phosphorus,and decrease ammonia nitrogen in ETD effluent by 81%.In addition,both C.aponinum OUC1 and S.obliquus cultivated in ETD exhibited extraordinary potential for biofuel production,increasing lipid productivities by 133%and 89%of that cultivated in ELR,respectively.As to ultrastructural changes,the differences in the lipoidal globules and glycogen granules of S.obliquus and C.aponinum OUC1 among the ETD and ELR treatments were mostly related to phosphorus limitations.The findings from this research reveal the probability using the secondary effluents as cultivation media to enhance algal biomass,nutrient removal and lipid productivity.

Nitrogen Removal Efficiencies for Two Biological Nutrient Removal （BNR） Plants in Thailand： Molasses as an External Carbon Source for Enriched Denitrifying Culture in a BNR Process

Two biological nutrient removal （BNR） wastewater treatment plants （WWTPs） in Thailand were selected for study： the Nonghkaem WWTP and the Suvarnabhumi Airport WWTP. For each site the influents, effluents, and supernatant liquids from anaerobic sludge digesters were analyzed for total Kjeldahl nitrogen （TKN）, total nitrogen （TN）, total chemical oxygen demand （TCOD）, biodegradable chemical oxygen demand （bCOD）, and biochemical oxygen demand （BOD）. Nitrogen removal efficiencies in the Nonghkaem WWTP and the Suvarnabhumi Airport WWTP were evaluated. Inadequate nitrogen removal at the Nonghkaem centralized WWTP was found during the summer period. Influent ratios of bCOD：N at the Nonghkaem plant and the Suvarnabhumi Airport plant were 2.42：1-5.45：1 and 4.1：1-6.5：1, respectively. The efficacy of addition of molasses as a carbon source for enriched denitrifying culture in a BNR process at Nonghkaem was studied. Fluorescent in situ hybridization technique （FISH） was used to identify specific nitrifying bacteria （Nitrosomonas spp., Nitrobacter spp. and Nitrospira spp.）. Nitrospira spp. was the most prevalent species in the aeration tank at the Nonghkaem WWTP. This result from FISH suggests that there were significantly low oxygen and nitrite concentration in the aeration tank at the Nonghkaem WWTP during a period of low nitrogen removal.

Nutrient Removal and Algal Community Variation from Urban River with the Isolated Microalgal Strains <i>Chlorella</i>sp. and <i>Scenedesmus</i>sp.

The objectives of this study were to determine nutrient removal rates and algal community variation using the isolated microalgal strains Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp. from an urban river water. The concentration of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in river water declined after pouring into Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp., it was indicated that the Scenedesmus sp. had respective advantage in removing nitrogen (86% removal rate) and Chlorella sp. in removing phosphorous (95% removal rate). The algae community composition showed extreme sensitivity to change in the joint of the Scenedesmus or Chlorella, respectively, the lower diversity and higher dominance of algae can be observed in Scenedesmus group, there existed an opposite tendency in Chlorella group. The results demonstrated that the high potential of using Chlorella sp. and Scenedesmus sp. for nutrient removal from riverwater.

Enhancing the Removal of Organic Matter and Nutrient from Wastewater by Using the Packed Bed Biological Reactor

Packed Bed biological Reactor (PBR) system has the potential to offer an effective and low-cost technology for upgrading the conventional wastewater treatment systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of PBR in removing the organic matter and nutrient from different types of wastewater (primary treatment effluent and secondary treatment effluent (exit of biological unit)). The experiments were carried out in two laboratory-sized reactors with 4 L in volume made of Plexiglas. The reactor was filled with PET packing and the reactor was kept in a temperature-controlled water bath at 20°C. Wastewater samples used in this experiment were collected from Wadi Al-Arab wastewater treatment plant in Irbid, Jordan. The concentrations of COD, TN, and TP were 280 mg/l, 41.74 mg-N/l and 9 mg/l, respectively in the primary effluents. Also, the concentrations of COD, TN, and TP were 58 mg/l, 61.55 mg-N/l and 33 mg/l, respectively in the secondary effluents. The removal efficiencies of COD, TN, and TP were 52%, 52% and 79% respectively when using the primary effluent as an influent to the reactor. On the other hand, when using the secondary effluent as an influent to the reactor, the removal efficiencies of COD, TN, and TP were 30%, 77%, and 81%, respectively. Thus, this technique could be used as a posttreatment step for conventional biological wastewater treatment.

Nutrient Accumulation and Distribution in Cotton Promoted by Removal of Mulch Film

Plastic film mulching affects changes in nutrient contents in soil and absorption and utilization of nutrients in plants were by changing hydrothermal condition of soil.The temporal and spatial variation of the total soil salt and nutrient contents with mulch film removed at three different times during the early cotton growth stage and its effects on nutrient absorption and accumulation in cotton plants were studied over 2015-2017.The film removal treatments reduced salt accumulation in normal rainfall year(2017).Film removal increased contents of soil organic matter,the total phosphorus and available potassium at the end of growth stage,increased contents of soil hydrolyzable nitrogen and the total nitrogen in the surface soil layer(0-10 cm),and increased the total nitrogen contents in the deep soil layer(40-50 cm).Film removal increased accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients in cotton plants in 2017 and accumulation of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium nutrients in cotton plants in heavy rainfall year(2016).These experimental results indicated that removal of mulch film at an appropriate and targeted time in the bud stage of cotton promoted nutrient absorption.

Growth Characteristics of <i>Fuirena umbellata</i>in a Surface Flow Constructed Wetland and Its Influence in Nutrients and Faecal Bacteria Removal from Domestic Wastewater in Cameroon

Various configurations of vegetated bed systems with a variety of macrophytes have been tested experimentally in Cameroon, for the treatment of domestic wastewater. The aim of this work was to assess the growth and biomass production of Fuirena umbellata (Cyperaceae) and its potentials in the removal of faecal bacteria and nutrients from primarily treated domestic effluent. A wetland vegetated with this macrophyte and a non-vegetated wetland (control) were continuously fed with primarily treated domestic wastewater at an estimated loading rate of 205 Litres/day in dry and rainy seasons for two consecutive years. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters of the effluent were monitored at the inflow and outflows of the wetlands alongside with the growth and productivity attributes of the young plants during each season. The density of plants ranged in the wetland from 17 - 185 plants/m2 and from 11 - 146 plants/m2 respectively during the first and the second years. More biomasses were instead produced in the dry seasons than in the rainy seasons but with no significant differences observed. As for nutrients removal, higher efficiencies were observed in the vegetated wetland (45% - 73%) compared to the non-vegetated control (17% - 66%). Similar trends were observed for the faecal bacteria but with no significant differences between the seasons. However, the vegetated beds were significantly more efficient than the non-vegetated control in the reduction of many physicochemical parameters and faecal bacteria. This varied with the seasons.

Practice of High Concentration Sludge for Efficient Nutrient Removal from Municipal Sewage

ECOSUNIDE is a new activated sludge process based on the sludge concentration optimization theory.With it,we carried out a high sludge concentration by changing influent mode and distributing carbon source in a reasonable way,which can improve the ecological superiority of nitrification and denitrification for the growth of phosphorous accumulating organisms(PAOs)and nitrifiers and raised the nutrient removal efficiency of municipal sewage treatment plants.In 2007,we adopted this technique in Linyi Sewage Treatment Plant in Shandong Province,China.After the reconstruction,we achieved the high efficiency of nutrient removal with low investment under the dynamic load of the secondary sewage treatment plant.The effluent water qualities meet the classⅠ-A criteria specified in Discharge Standard of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant(GB 18918-2002)and the rest effluent indexes meet the classⅠ-B criteria.Besides,we have above 20% operating cost cut by stopping the internal reflux without power charge increased and any new pool structures built.

Seasonal and Spatial Variability of Water Quality and Nutrient Removal Efficiency of Restored Wetland： A Case Study in Fujin National Wetland Park, China

To investigate the spatio-temporal and compositional variation of selected water quality parameters and understand the puri- fying effects of wetland in Fujin National Wetland Park （FNWP）, China, the trophic level index （TLI）, paired samples t-test and correla- tion analysis were used for the statistical analysis of a set of 10 water quality parameters. The analyses were based on water samples collected from 22 stations in FNWP between 2014 and 2016. Results initially reveal that total nitrogen （TN） concentrations are above class V levels （2 mg/L）, total phosphorus （TP） concentrations are below class III levels （0.2 mg/L）, and that all other parameters fall within standard ranges. Highest values for TN, pH, and Chlorophyll-a were recorded in 2016, while the levels of chemical oxygen de- mand （CODMn） and biochemical oxygen demand （BODs） were lowest during this year. Similarly, TN values were highest between 2014 and 2016 while dissolved oxygen （DO） concentrations were lowest in the summer and TP concentrations were highest in the autumn. Significant variations were also found in Secchi depth （SD）, TN, CODMn （P 〈 0.01）, TP, and DO levels （P 〈 0.05） between the inlet and outlet of the park. High-to-low levels of TN, TP, and TDS were found in cattails, reeds, and open water （the opposite trend was seen in SD levels）. Tested wetland water had a light eutrophication status in most cases and TN and TP removal rates were between 7.54%-84.36% and 37.50%-70.83%, respectively. Data also show no significant annual changes in water quality within this wetland, although obvious affects from surrounding agricultural drainage were nevertheless recorded. Results reveal a high major nutrient removal efficiency （N and P）. The upper limits of these phenomena should be addressed in future research alongside a more efficient and scientific agricultural layout for the regions in and around the FNWP.

Development of Biofilter Devices for Nutrient Removal From Wastewater

Nutrient pollution still remains one of the greatest challenges to water quality contributing to harmful contaminations water sources,and costly impacts on the economy.This review considers the development of the biofilters,focusing on the design features that have the most influence on their technical and economic performance.Modern biofilters,based on SAF technology,are particularly suitable for sewage treatment works with throughput rates up to 1,000m^3/d.The main advantages of SAF plants include high quality effluent,low power usage and small footprint.A wide range of filter media are available for different designs,which could be configured for both aerobic and anaerobic treatment in BOD and/or ammonia reduction applications.The two most important parameters for filter media are their Specific Surface Area(SSA,m^2/m^3)and Void Fraction(percentage of void volume or porosity).However,due to the risk of clogging by suspended solids or excess sludge the media used for this application should be limited to about 500m^2/m^3.In tertiary treatment or river restoration applications where the influents tend lack any readily biodegradable substrates,SAF design provides the most appropriate choice for further development to produce effluents with very low nutrient levels.

Developement of processes for nutrient removal from wastewater

This review focuses on techniques for achieving very low concentration of TN and TP in water.The 1970 Clean Water Act in the US and the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive in Europe now provide the benchmark standards for TN and TP levels.Arden and Lockett discovered activated sludge in the 1910’s.Since then,many improvements have been made to the biological treatment process to provide various configurations that have the ability to deliver effluent concentrations between 6-8mg TN/L and 0.5-1.0mg TP/L,without external carbon addition.Typically,however,additional advanced nutrient removal technologies are used in tertiary treatment to meet more stringent effluent quality requirements.One advanced technology that has been successfully implemented in the US is denitrifying filters.For TP removal,tests showed that the BlueP RO and CoM ag systems both reliably met an effluent target as low as 0.04 mg TP/L.However,the establishment of stringent TN and TP effluent limits will dramatically increase the capital and operational costs of wastewater treatment plants.A more promising nutrient capturing process is based on the assimilation of nutrients(both N and P)during heterotrophic growth which uses a carbon source for energy.Laboratory trials of the single step process by Reach Green suggest that concentrations as low as 0.5 mg TN/L and 0.02mg TP/L are readily achievable.