Physiological, molecular and modeling studies of an aerobic denitrifier: microvirgula aerodenitrificans. Use of its properties in an integrated nitrogen removal plant

Abstract

Conventional nitrogen removal processes are based on time or space separation of the two phases : aerobic nitrification and anoxic denitrification. According to the results obtained with a pure strain M. aerodenitrificans under discontinuous and continuous, aerobic and anoxic conditions, we propose to use its co-respiration properties in a single aerated system, in co-culture with a nitrifying population. We demonstrate the feasability of combining nitrifying microflora and the aerobic denitrifier under continuous and semi-continuous cultures. A mathematical model based on batch cultures was developed to help us control the M. aerodenitrificans cultivation and maintain it in a complex ecosystem. The specific detection and monitoring of the pure strain in the complex ecosystem was realized by fluorescent in situ hybridization with rRNA-targeted nucleic acid probe.