Nitrification Kinetics Research Articles

Optimising operation of a biological wastewater treatment application

The objective of this work was to optimize (minimize) the compressed air required to control the rate of ammonia removal in a commercially operated wastewater bioreactor, while still maintaining operation within environmental consent limits. In order to do this, a nonlinear dynamic model based on the International Association on Water Quality (IAWQ) activated sludge model No. 3 was developed, expressing the nitrification kinetics and hydraulic dynamics of the system. From this model a steady state representation of the plant was derived, and simulated for various load characteristics experienced at the facility, and as a result an optimal load profile was developed for the compressed air distribution to the four aerobic zones. The optimal load profile will ensure that the amount of compressed air required to control the rate of ammonia removal is optimized.

Characterization of the toxic effects of cadmium and 3.5-dichlorophenol on nitrifying activity and mortality in biologically activated sludge systems—effect of low temperature

Sometimes, urban wastewaters convey a more or less significant part of toxic products from industries or the craft industry. Nitrifying activity can be affected by these substances, implying higher ammonia concentrations in the outlet effluent and contributing to toxicity for the aquatic environment. Moreover, the more stringently treated wastewater standards now require a reliable treatment for nitrogen. One of the key issues is the identification of the inhibition behavior of nitrifying bacteria facing a toxic substance. This new understanding could then finally be integrated into models in order to represent and to optimize wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) operation in cases involving 'toxic scenarios'. The toxic substances studied in this work, cadmium and 3.5-dichlorophenol (3.5-DCP), are representative of chemical substances commonly found in municipal sewage and industrial effluents and symbolize two different contaminant groups. The effects of Cd and 3.5-DCP on nitrification kinetics have been investigated using respirometry techniques. IC50 values determination gives concentrations of 3.1 mg/L for 3.5-DCP and 45.8 mg/L for Cd at 21 +/- 1 degrees C. The variation to low temperature seems to have no real effect on IC50 for DCP, but induces a decrease of cadmium IC50 to 27.5 mg/L at 14 degrees C. Finally, specific respirometric tests have been carried out in order to determine the potential effect of these toxic substances on the nitrifying decay rate b ( a ). No significant effect has been noticed for Cd, whereas the presence of 3.5-DCP (at IC50 concentration) induced a dramatic increase of b ( a ) at 20 degrees C. The same behavior has been confirmed by experiments performed in winter periods with a sludge temperature around 12 degrees C. The target substances have different modes of action on activity and mortality, notably due to the abilities of the contaminant to be precipitated, accumulated, or even to be progressively degraded. Studies realized at low temperature confirmed this assumption, and put in evidence the effect of temperature on toxic substances capable of being biosorbed. However, the change in the sludge sample characteristics can be pointed out as a problem in the investigation of the temperature effect on nitrification inhibition, as biosorption, bioaccumulation, and predation are directly linked to the sludge characteristics (VSS concentration, temperature) and the plant operating conditions (loading rates, sludge age, etc.). This work brings new understandings concerning the action mode of these specific contaminants on nitrifying bacteria and, in particular, on the role of temperature. The experiments lead to the determination of the IC50 values for both toxic substances on biological nitrification. The inhibition mechanisms of Cd and 3.5-DCP on nitrifying activity have been simply represented by a non-competitive inhibition model. Other experiments carried out in a continuous lab-scale pilot plant should be done with a proper control of the operating conditions and of the sludge characteristics in order to better understand the mechanisms of nitrification inhibition for each contaminant. Finally, these first results show that toxic substances can have an effect on the growth rate but also on the decay rate, depending on the characteristics of the toxic substance and the sludge. This eventual double effect would imply different strategies of WWTP operation according to the behavior of the contaminant on the bacteria.

Modelling an aerobic submerged membrane bioreactor with ASM models on a large range of sludge retention time

In this work, modelling of a submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR) system for municipal wastewater treatment is evaluated using ASM1 and ASM3 models. Dynamic data (and pseudo steady state) collected in an aerobic SMBR working at high sludge retention time (SRT) are considered. Work is focused on suspended solids, excess sludge production, and nitrification kinetics. After a complete wastewater characterisation, satisfying prediction is obtained for volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) with default kinetic parameters. However, assumption of inert organics accumulation ( X I) makes inaccurate the simulation at high SRT (110 days). Results also show that mineral suspended solids are significantly solubilised in such a process, and this should be taken into account for modelling total suspended solids. Default parameters for nitrification (μ a , b a , K N ) were not exact, and thus a new set of parameters was identified. A unique set of values was proposed for μ a and ba, whereas half saturation coefficient ( K N ) was observed to vary with the MBR operating condition.

Comparison of Nitrification Rates in Conventional and Membrane‐Assisted Biological Nutrient Removal Processes

A membrane-assisted and a conventional activated sludge system, both operated in an enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) mode and under identical operating conditions, were studied to investigate the effect of the membrane solids-liquid separation on nitrification activity. Both the membrane EBPR (MEBPR) and conventional EBPR (CEBPR) processes achieved stable and complete removal of ammonium-nitrogen from the influent wastewater. However, when the intrinsic nitrification activity was assessed in offline batch tests, the CEBPR mixed liquor exhibited 15 to 75% greater nitrification potential than the MEBPR counterpart. These results were further validated by monitoring nitrification rates of conventional mixed liquor as it evolved toward a membrane mixed liquor. It was also demonstrated that the larger aerobic mass fraction of the MEBPR system could not be the only factor influencing the reduced intrinsic nitrification rate. The present study strongly suggests that the presence of a membrane solids-liquid separation per se may be sufficient to alter the nitrification kinetics of an EBPR mixed liquor and that this possibility should be considered in arriving at an appropriate process design.

Nitrifying Genera in Activated Sludge May Influence Nitrification Rates

Sequencing batch reactors were acclimated under aerobic and alternating anoxic/aerobic conditions. Greater nitrification rates in the alternating reactor were investigated by comparing environmental conditions. In the alternating reactor, pH, alkalinity, oxygen, and nitrite were higher at the onset of aerobic nitrification. Kinetic studies and batch tests, with biomass developed under aerobic and alternating conditions, revealed that these factors were insufficient to explain the divergent nitrification rates. Nitrifying genera vary in nitrification kinetics and sensitivity to environmental conditions. Nitrosospira and Nitrospira spp. could dominate in aerobic reactors, as they are adapted to low nitrite and oxygen conditions. Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter spp. are better competitors with abundant substrates and have higher nitrite tolerance, so they could excel under alternating conditions. This theoretical explanation is consistent with the kinetics and environmental conditions in these reactors and argues for using alternating treatment, because the harsh conditions select for populations with inherently faster nitrification rates.

Modelling nitrogen transformations in the lower Seine river and estuary (France): impact of wastewater release on oxygenation and N2O emission

A model of the ecological functioning of a drainage network (RIVERSTRAHLER: Billen, G., J. Garnier & Ph. Hanset, 1994. Modelling phytoplankton development in whole drainage networks: the RIVERSTRAHLER model applied to the Seine river system. Hydrobiologia, 289:119–137; Garnier, J., G. Billen & M. Coste, 1995. Seasonal succession of diatoms and Chlorophyceae in the drainage network of the river Seine: Observations and modelling. Limnology and Oceanography. 40: 750–765), has been developed to describe nutrient (N, P, Si) transfer processes at the scale of the whole Seine Basin taking into account human activities such as agricultural practices, waterscape and urban wastewater management. Whereas the upstream basin is strongly influenced by intensive agriculture, leading to high nitrate concentrations, the lower Seine River and estuary are densely populated. Paris and its suburbs represent alone up to 60% of the population in the basin (10.106 inhabitants), causing large amounts of ammonium to be released by domestic effluents discharged downstream from Paris (of which the Acheres wastewater treatment plant –WWTP- treated up to 80%). The ammonium loading is completely nitrified in the upstream fluvial estuary (300 km farther the effluent outlet), which leads to a strong oxygen deficit in summer. A conceptual representation of nitrification was constructed in which microbial compartments were taken explicitly into account, and the intermediate production of N2O included. On this basis a physiological analysis of the two stages of the nitrification by nitrifying bacteria (ammonium and nitrite oxidizing bacteria) was carried out, as a function of the controlling factors (O2, NH4+, NO2−; Brion, N. & G. Billen, 1998. Une reevaluation de la methode d'incorporation de 14HCO3 pour mesurer la nitrification autotrophe et son application pour estimer les biomasses de bacteries nitrifiantes. Revue des Sciences de l'Eau, 11: 283–302; Cebron, A., J. Garnier & G. Billen 2005. Nitrous oxide production and nitrification kinetics by bacteria communities naturally present in river water (the lower Seine, France). Aquatic Microbial Ecolology, 41: 25–38). A mathematical formulation of the kinetics and the parameters values were incorporated into the general model of ecological functioning of the fluvial sector and freshwater estuary of the Seine River. N2O emissions due to denitrification were also considered. Results from summer field studies between 1998 and 2003 were used to validate the model which is able to reproduce the main spatial and temporal patterns of the activities of the microbial nitrifying communities as well as the levels of oxygen and nitrogen forms (NH4+, NO2−, NO3− N2O). Once validated, the model is used to examine the planned installation of a tertiary treatment at the Acheres WWTP, scheduled for 2007 (a 90% reduction by nitrification of the presently discharged ammonium, and a 30% reduction of the nitrate by denitrification). The model shows that a nitrification treatment leads to a significant improvement in the oxygenation and a reduction of N2O emission. However, only further denitrification of urban effluents, expected in 2015, would significantly reduce the nitrogen delivery to the coastal zone.

Respirometric techniques for assessment of biological kinetics in constructed wetland

The aim of this research was the development of a procedure to measure biological kinetics of organic matter oxidation and nitrification in constructed wetland, by using respirometric techniques. Columns simulating cores of vertical subsurface flow systems were investigated. The oxygen uptake rate (OUR) of the columns was calculated on the basis of the difference of DO concentrations measured continuously at the top and at the bottom of the column. From the respirogram, the following kinetic parameters have been evaluated: maximum rate of oxidation of readily biodegradable COD, maximum rate of nitrification, endogenous respiration of the biomass grown inside the bed. In order to improve the interpretation of the respirograms, additional respirometric tests were carried out on the wetland columns by using pure substrates, such as acetate (carbon source) and ammonium (substrate for nitrification). The kinetic parameters obtained from respirograms can be useful for control and design of constructed wetlands or for improving nutrient and carbon mass balances.

Kinetics of Nitrification in Selected Iowa Soils Treated with Stay‐N 2000

The effectiveness of Stay‐N 2000 or reformulated nitrapyrin [2‐chloro‐6‐(tricholoromethyl) pyridine] was investigated in two Iowa soils representative of Clarion and Okoboji soils that differed in organic carbon, pH, and texture. A nonlinear regression was used to estimate kinetic parameters. The maximum nitrification rate (K max) and the duration of lag period (t′) were derived from the equation to characterize the nitrification process in both soils. Stay‐N 2000 appeared to be a better inhibitor than nitrapyrin to extend t′ and as effective as nitrapyrin in reducing K max. Stay‐N 2000 reduced K max an appreciable amount in the Okoboji soil at the rate of 12 µg a.i. g−1 soil or three times the recommended rate. Nitrification rates were affected by the rates of nitrogen (N) applied to both soils; the higher the N rates, the higher Kmax, and the more the nitrate (NO3 −)‐N accumulation.

NITRIFYING GENERA IN ACTIVATED SLUDGE MAY INFLUENCE NITRIFICATION RATES

Sequencing batch reactors were acclimated under aerobic and alternating anoxic/aerobic conditions. Greater nitrification rates in the alternating reactor were investigated by comparing environmental conditions. In the alternating reactor, pH, alkalinity, oxygen, and nitrite were higher at the onset of aerobic nitrification. Kinetic studies and batch tests, with biomass developed under aerobic and alternating conditions, revealed that these factors were insufficient to explain the divergent nitrification rates. Nitrifying genera vary in nitrification kinetics and sensitivity to environmental conditions. Nitrosospira and Nitrospira spp. could dominate in aerobic reactors, as they are adapted to low nitrite and oxygen conditions. Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter spp. are better competitors with abundant substrates and have higher nitrite tolerance, so they could excel under alternating conditions. This theoretical explanation is consistent with the kinetics and environmental conditions in these reactors and argues for using alternating treatment, because the harsh conditions select for populations with inherently faster nitrification rates.

KINETCIS AND NITRIFYING POPULATIONS IN NITROGEN REMOVAL PROCESSES AT A FULL-SCALE INTEGRATED FIXED-FILM ACTIVATED SLUDGE (IFAS) PLANT

KINETCIS AND NITRIFYING POPULATIONS IN NITROGEN REMOVAL PROCESSES AT A FULL-SCALE INTEGRATED FIXED-FILM ACTIVATED SLUDGE (IFAS) PLANTThis study evaluated the nitrification rates and kinetics in an Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) plant with two-stage nitrification process at Broomfield, CO. Batch tests were conducted at site with both fixed-film media and suspended mixed liquor from the two nitrification stages. The nitrification rates for mixed liquor only was 2.64 for stage 1 and 2.0 for stage 2 in unit of...Author(s)Annalisa Onnis-HaydenDaniel DairChandler JohnsonAndreas SchrammApril Z. GuSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectSession 42: Biological Nutrient RemovalDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Jan, 2007ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20070101)2007:15L.3099;1-DOI10.2175/193864707787973789Volume / Issue2007 / 15Content sourceWEFTECFirst / last page(s)3099 - 3119Copyright2007Word count473

Effect of oxygen concentration on biological nitrification and microbial kinetics in a cross-flow membrane bioreactor (MBR) and moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) treating old landfill leachate

Ammonium nitrogen concentration in leachate from old Italian landfills ranges from 0.5 to as high as 3 g L −1. In this paper biological nitrogen removal from leachate has been achieved by partial nitrification to nitrite in a pure-oxygen membrane bioreactor (PO-MBR) and by subsequent denitrification in a moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR). When ammonium is biologically oxidized to nitrite, only 75% of the oxygen required for full nitrification is needed. Moreover, denitrification can be performed by saving 30–40% of the carbon required. The process was carried out by an MBR oxidation tank of 500 L equipped with an UF ceramic membrane followed by a 540-L post-denitrification tank filled with moving plastic support media. The best operational conditions to achieve partial nitrification were analyzed. TKN loading rate was variable from 50 to 120 g TKN (kg TSS day) −1 with an influent ammonia concentration between 1000 and 1500 mg L −1. When DO concentration in the MBR was kept in the range 0.2–0.5 mg L −1, 90% oxidation of ammonia to nitrite was achieved, with stable inhibition of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria even at sludge retention time higher than 45 days.

Treatment of Food Industry Waste by Bench‐Scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket‐Anoxic‐Aerobic System

An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB)-anoxicaerobic system was used for treatment of tomato and bean processing wastewater. At various hydraulic retention times, ranging from 0.7 to 5 days, excellent removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), ammonia-nitrogen (NH4-N), and total Kjeldahl nitrogen was achieved with final effluent BOD/TSS/NH4N concentrations of less than 15/15/1 mg/L. Biogas yield in the UASB reactor varied from 0.33 to 0.44 m3/kgCODremoved. The kinetics of anaerobic treatment were investigated. The yield coefficient was 0.03 gVSS/gCOD; maximum specific growth rate was 0.24 day(-1); Monod half velocity constant was 135 mgCOD/L; and specific substrate utilization rate was 3.25 gCOD/gVSS x d. Nitrification and denitrification kinetics were studied in batch experiments, and the rates were comparable with those in the continuous flow system.

In-situ Determination of Nitrification Kinetics and Performance Characteristics for a Bubble-washed Bead Filter

Intensive recirculating aquaculture systems rely almost exclusively on some form of fixed film biofilter for nitrification.Currently there is no standardized way to determine and report biofilter performance to facilitate user selection among the numerous options. This type of information is critical for the end user, and also important for both the design engineer and the manufacturer. In an attempt to address this issue, a simple procedure for estimating nitrification reaction rate kinetics is described and applied to a bubble-washed bead filter. Reaction rate kinetics were determined through a series of batch reaction rate experiments with a commercially available 0.06-m3 (2.0-ft3) bubble-washed bead filter. Empirical mathematical models for the nitrification of ammonia-nitrogen to nitrate-nitrogen were developed. The kinetics of nitrification were found to fit a simple first-order reaction model, when the ammonia-nitrogen concentration was less than 1 mg NH4-N/L, and a zero-order reaction when the ammonia-nitrogen concentration was greater. The exact breakpoint between first and zero-order reaction kinetics was found to be a function of the flow rate. In addition, the first-order kinetic reaction rate constants were also a function of the flow rate, reflecting the influence of high nutrient gradients and associated higher nutrient gradient across the biofilm. No effect of flow rate was found for the zero-order reaction rate constants. Kinetic reaction rate parameters, maximum reaction rates, and half-saturation constants were determined for the Monod kinetics model as functions of hydraulic loading rate. Based on these results, an evaluation tool was proposed to help characterize bead filter performance based on reaction rate kinetics. A series of performance characteristic curves were developed to show maximum removal rates as a function of ammonia-nitrogen concentration and flow rates through the bubble-washed bead filter.

Importance and measurement of decay rate when assessing nitrification kinetics

Nitrification kinetics are important for process design, optimization and capacity rating of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants. Assessment of nitrification behaviour historically has focused on measuring the nitrifier maximum specific growth rate, micro(AUT). Very little attention has been directed at the of nitrifier organism rate has been assumed negligible. However, incorrect assessment of decay rate leads to errors in the micro(AUT) estimate; the magnitude of the error depends on the micro(AUT) measurement method employed. This paper illustrates why decay rate is important when measuring micro(AUT), and that the decay rate is significant. The paper also explains why measurement methods for nitrifier decay may have underestimated the decay rate. Results from an experiment incorporating improvements to previously suggested methods and data analysis are presented.

Nitrification parameter measurement for plant design: experience and experimental issues with new methods

Nitrification kinetics are important for process design, optimization, and capacity rating of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants. A Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) project on Methods for Wastewater Characterization in Activated Sludge Modeling (WERF, 2003) focused significantly on the development of procedures for measuring the nitrifier maximum specific growth rate, micro(AUT). In addition, the importance of (and lack of data for) the nitrifier decay rate, b(AUT), was identified. This paper describes three bench-scale methods for measuring micro(AUT): the Low F/M SBR, Washout and High F/M methods. During the WERF project, the importance of pH and temperature control was investigated briefly; this paper summarizes further experimental work performed to address these issues. A summary of micro(AUT) measurements in a number of locations and using the different measurement techniques is provided.

Nitrification kinetics of biofilm as affected by water quality factors

Various types of fixed film biofilters have been used in recirculating aquaculture systems under different water quality and operating conditions. The effectiveness of the nitrification process can be evaluated by nitrification kinetics. Nitrification in the bacterial film of the biofilter involves physical, chemical and biological processes that are governed by a variety of parameters such as substrate and dissolved oxygen concentrations, organic matters, temperature, pH, alkalinity, salinity and turbulence level. The impacts of these parameters upon nitrification kinetics make predicting the performance of a biofilter for a given application an engineering challenge. Knowing the performance of a biofilter is critical for both designers and managers. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on nitrification kinetics as affected by the aforementioned factors based on literature and the results from the authors’ laboratories. These factors were ranked according to their significance of impact on biofilter nitrification performance. The information presented can be used as a reference for the design and operation of biofilters in recirculating aquaculture systems.

A detailed model of a biofilter for ammonia removal: Model parameters analysis and model validation

A dynamic model to describe ammonia removal in a gas-phase biofilter was developed. The mathematical model is based on discretized mass balances and detailed nitrification kinetics that include inhibitory effects caused by free ammonia (FA) and free nitrous acid (FNA). The model has been able to predict experimental results for dynamic operation under different loading rates (from 3.2 to 17.2 g NH 3 h −1 m −3 ). In particular the model was capable of predicting the outlet ammonia gas concentrations as well as reproducing satisfactorily the gaseous ammonia concentration profile with time under FA inhibition and under non-inhibitory conditions. A sensitivity analysis showed that pH strongly influences the results of the model. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Links between ammonia oxidizer species composition, functional diversity and nitrification kinetics in grassland soils

Molecular approaches have revealed considerable diversity and uncultured novelty in natural prokaryotic populations, but not direct links between the new genotypes detected and ecosystem processes. Here we describe the influence of the structure of communities of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria on nitrogen cycling in microcosms containing natural and managed grasslands and amended with artificial sheep urine, a major factor determining local ammonia concentrations in these environments. Nitrification kinetics were assessed by analysis of changes in urea, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate concentrations and ammonia oxidizer communities were characterized by analysis of 16S rRNA genes amplified from extracted DNA using ammonia oxidizer-specific primers. In natural soils, ammonia oxidizer community structure determined the delay preceding nitrification, which depended on the relative abundance of two Nitrosospira clusters, termed 3a and 3b. In batch cultures, pure culture and enrichment culture representatives of Nitrosospira 3a were sensitive to high ammonia concentration, while Nitrosospira cluster 3b representatives and Nitrosomonas europaea were tolerant. Delays in nitrification occurred in natural soils dominated by Nitrosospira cluster 3a and resulted from the time required for growth of low concentrations of Nitrosospira cluster 3b. In microcosms dominated by Nitrosospira cluster 3b and Nitrosomonas, no substantial delays were observed. In managed soils, no delays in nitrification were detected, regardless of initial ammonia oxidizer community structure, most probably resulting from higher ammonia oxidizer cell concentrations. The data therefore demonstrate a direct link between bacterial community structure, physiological diversity and ecosystem function.

Nitrous oxide production and nitrification kinetics by natural bacterial communitites of the lower Seine river (France)

Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) is produced in the lower Seine river at 40 to 60 kg N-N 2 O d -1 , in a section greatly affected by effluents from the Acheres Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Because water column denitrification is weak in this sector, we hypothesized that N 2 O could be produced by the nitrifier-denitrification process. To understand the controls of N 2 O emission, nitrifying bacterial cultures were grown from Seine river water (in batches and continuous flow experiments). The population diversity of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in these experiments was determined by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and found to be similar to those naturally present in the Seine. We determined nitrification kinetics of the 2 functional bacteria populations (AOB and nitrite oxidizing bacteria [NOB]). During nitrifying batch and continuous flow experiments, the N 2 O production kinetics were examined under contrasted conditions. We tested the effect of dissolved oxygen, ammonia and nitrite concentrations on the N 2 O production rate. To our knowledge, this is the first study determining the optimal concentrations of O 2 , NH 4 + and NO 2 - that will lead to maximum N 2 O production by nitrifier-denitrification of mixed nitrifying bacteria populations from natural freshwater. We tested a range of oxygen concentrations and observed a peak in N 2 O emission within the narrow range from 1.1 to 1.5 mg O 2 l -1 . We plotted the N 2 O production as a function of ammonium and nitrite concentrations under optimal dissolved oxygen conditions. The results followed the hyperbolic Michaelis-Menten type curves, and kinetics parameters (V max and K s ) were determined. The maximum N 2 O production rate (V max ) was estimated at 8 to 9 pg N-N 2 O mg C biomass1 h -1 . The half-saturation constants of nitrifier-denitrification were K s = 1.5 to 3 mg N-NH 4 + l -1 for ammonium, and K s = 1 to 4 mg N-NO 2 - l -1 for nitrite.

Modelling of nitrogen release from MBT waste

The “LaNDy” model (landfill nitrogen dynamics model) is a new mathematical tool for the evaluation of the long-term behaviour of nitrogen in mechanical-biologically pretreated (MBP) waste. LaNDy combines a hydraulic model based on RICHARD’s equation with one-dimensional heat flow in landfills, kinetics of biological degradation, gas diffusion, nitrification and denitrification. A suitable temperature-dependent N mineralisation sub-model was based on numerous data from the literature and own LSR-experiments. With the “nitrification modus” of the LaNDy model, kinetic data of nitrification, thermodynamic data of denitrification and diffusion characteristics of gaseous components (especially of oxygen and methane) are used as an additional input for the preliminary calculation of the long-time impact of nitrification and denitrification. Examples of predicted temperature distribution and leachate ammonium concentrations, using different landfill size, age of the landfill (10 to ≈100 a) and hydraulic conductivity of the MBP waste, are presented in this paper.