Removal Of NO3 Research Articles

Chromium(VI) and nitrate removal from groundwater using biochar-assisted zero valent iron autotrophic bioreduction: Enhancing electron transfer efficiency and reducing EPS accumulation

Current strategies primarily utilize heterotrophic or mixotrophic bioreduction for the simultaneous removal of Cr(VI) and NO3− from groundwater. However, given the oligotrophic nature of groundwater, autotrophic bioreduction could be more appropriate, though it remains notably underdeveloped. Here, an autotrophic bioreduction technology utilizing biochar (BC)-assisted zero valent iron (ZVI) is proposed. The pyrolysis temperature of BC was optimized to enhance electron transfer efficiency and reduce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) accumulation. BC500, with the superior electron transfer capabilities, was the most effective. After an 11-week period, the ZVI + BC500 biotic column still achieved 100% removal efficiency for Cr(VI) and 93.37 ± 0.33% for NO3−, with initial concentrations of 26 mg/L and 50 mg/L, respectively. Its performance significantly surpasses that of ZVI alone, effectively reducing the interference of Cr(VI) on denitrification. The presence of quinone and phenolic compounds in BC500, serving as electron-accepting and electron-donating groups, improves the efficiency of electron transfer between ZVI and microbes. Metagenomic analysis showed an increase in the growth of autotrophic bacteria such as Hydrogenophaga spp. and Rhodanobacter denitrificans, and heterotrophic bacteria including Arenimonas daejeonensis and Chryseobacterium shandongense. The promotion facilitates the expression of genes associated with Cr(VI) reduction (chrR, nemA) and denitrification (narG, nirS). BC500 also enhanced EPS production, which facilitates the adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI), mitigating its inhibitory effects on denitrification. Notably, in the ZVI + BC500 biotic column, the accumulated EPS primarily consists of loosely bound EPS rather than tightly bound EPS, potentially reducing the risk of pore clogging during in-situ groundwater treatment.

Effective nitrate removal with high N2 selectivity by active-site-rich particle electrode of bentonite-based Cu-Fe LDH composite

A novel bentonite-based Cu-Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH) composite particle electrode (CuFe-LDH/BT) was fabricated and used as the catalyst to remove nitrate-nitrogen (NO3−-N) in three-dimensional electrochemical (3D/E) system. The results showed that the prepared CuFe-LDH/BT exhibited the highest catalytic activity when the molar ratio of copper to iron was 3:1, the dosage of bentonite (BT) was 1 g, liquid-phase synthesis pH was 10, and liquid-phase synthesis temperature was 40 °C. The prepared composite particle electrode was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method (BET), Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The characterization results indicated that LDH structure was successfully formed in CuFe-LDH/BT, and CuFe-LDH/BT had obvious layered structure, high specific surface area and excellent conductivity. Under the reaction conditions of CuFe-LDH/BT dosage of 3 g/L, current density of 8 mA/cm2 and initial pH of NO3−-N solution of 7, in the range of NO3−-N concentration of 50∼200 mg/L, the maximum removal efficiency of NO3−-N could reach 100% at reaction time of 240 min, and the maximum N2 selectivity was 83.41%. The recycling test showed that CuFe-LDH/BT maintained high activity after 3 reuses. The possible reaction mechanism of NO3−-N removal in the 3D/E system catalyzed by CuFe-LDH/BT was explored. In summary, the 3D/E system catalyzed by CuFe-LDH/BT can achieve the effective removal of NO3−-N in water body.

Evaluation of agricultural non-point source pollution infiltration on clogging and nitrogen leaching effects in BRCs with different plants in dryland areas

As high-standard farmland rapidly expands, agricultural non-point source pollution has emerged as a main environmental issue in China. To tackle nitrogen pollution, green infrastructure (GI), especially bioretention cells (BRCs), has been extensively adopted. However, the long-term effectiveness of these systems may be hindered by clogging and nitrogen leaching. In this study, we designed three BRCs simulation devices to investigate the effects of different plants on the removal of TSS TN and NO3–N from runoff through simulated pollutant infiltration experiments. To address this issue, laboratory research has explored the contributions of woody plants like Buxus and herbaceous plants such as Ophiopogon in BRCs, concentrating on their impact on system clogging and nitrogen leaching. The results indicated that, although the total suspended solids (TSS) removal rates in the Buxus and Ophiopogon treatment groups were slightly lower than in the control group, permeability experienced a notable enhancement, with the Buxus group showing a 24.47% increase in permeability. The removal rates of TN and NO3–N in the Buxus group were significantly reduced, decreasing by 31.82% and 41.25%, respectively, in comparison to the control group. After five months, Ophiopogon demonstrated considerably better root growth, with its root length, volume, and surface area all significantly exceeding those of the Buxus group. The choice of plants significantly influenced nitrogen cycling and system clogging, with the reduced removal rates in the Buxus group potentially linked to its weaker root system, lower abundance of actinomycetes, and reduced soil enzyme activity.

Highly selective nitrate reduction to N2 by Cu-nZVI/LDH bimetallic composite: Mechanism, reaction pathway and strategy for enhanced N2 formation

Due to the highly reductive capacity of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI), the reduction of nitrate (NO3--N) is prone to produce ammonia (NH4+-N) as a by-product and has low selectivity for nitrogen gas (N2). Selective conversion of NO3--N to harmless N2 by regulating reaction pathway is the key to improve the reduction and nitrogen removal performance of nZVI-based materials. In this study, metal copper (Cu) was added to nZVI to prepare Cu-nZVI/LDH bimetallic composites. Cu was used as a catalyst to form a galvanic coupling with nZVI to accelerate electron transfer and improve the electron utilization efficiency. Synergism of adsorption and reduction of NO3--N was achieved through adsorption of layered bimetallic hydroxide (LDH) and reduction of nZVI. The results showed that the NO3--N removal and N2 product selectivity by Cu-nZVI/LDH was as high as 95.6 % and 80.3 %, respectively. The critical reaction pathway of N2 generation on the Cu surface of Cu-nZVI/LDH composite was further revealed by DFT theoretical calculations. Experiments on actual micro-polluted water showed that the removal of NO3--N by Cu-nZVI/LDH reached 85.2 %. The NO3--N removal of the composite material slightly decreased to 78.6 % after 15 d of aging, verifying that the composite material had good potential for practical applications.

Research progress of nanoscale zero-valent iron in synergistic combinations of denitrifying bacteria for nitrate removal

Nitrate (NO3--N) is a common inorganic nitrogen pollutant in water. Excessive NO3--N can lead to water eutrophication and threaten human health. Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has attracted much attention in NO3--N removal due to its high specific surface and excellent electron donor properties. The combination of nZVI and denitrifying bacteria (DNB) demonstrates high efficiency in converting NO3--N into N2. This approach not only substantially enhances the removal rate of NO3--N but also exhibits superior environmental sustainability compared with conventional chemical denitrification methods. Accordingly, it holds substantial promise for mitigating NO3--N pollution and warrants further exploration in the pollution control. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the interaction mechanism between nZVI and DNB for NO3--N removal. This paper details the factors affecting the removal of NO3--N by nZVI combined with DNB, reviews the latest research progress in this field, elaborates on the interaction mechanism between nZVI and DNB for NO3--N removal, and discusses the challenges and future research directions of NO3--N removal by nZVI combined with DNB. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis for the development of efficient approaches for the remediation of NO3--N pollution.

Ethylene Glycol (EG)-Derived Chlorine-Resistant Cu0/TiO2-x for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Nitrate to N2 without Sacrificial Agents at Near-Neutral pH Conditions: The Synergistic Effects of Cu0 and EG Radicals.

The selective photoreduction of nitrate to nontoxic nitrogen gas has emerged as an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly route for nitrate removal. However, the coexisting high-concentration chloride ions in wastewater can exert a significant influence on nitrate reduction due to the competitive adsorption and corrosion of Cl- on photocatalysts. Herein, we prepared ethylene glycol-Cu/TiO2-x (EG-Cu/TiO2-x) through a solvothermal reaction of Cu-doped TiO2 in an EG solution. The photodegradation of nitrate using EG-Cu/TiO2-x without adding sacrificial agents can efficiently occur in near-neutral pH solutions containing 50 mM Cl- with 95.26% of NO3- removal and 76.52% of N2 selectivity. Moreover, the photocatalyst performance remained at a high level after 8 cycles. In this work, NO3- was first converted to NH4+ by Cu0 and Ti3+, followed by the NH4+-to-N2 conversion by photogenerated chlorine free radicals. Compared to HO•, Cl•, and Cl2•-, ClO• is proved to play the predominant role in transforming NH4+ to N2. The EG radicals produced by UV light impede Cl- adsorption on Cu, protecting Cu0 from being corroded. What's more, photoelectrons can reduce Ti4+ to Ti3+ and protect Cu0 from being oxidized, enabling the stability of reactive sites. This work provides novel insights and understanding on designing photocatalysts for NO3- removal in solutions containing chloride ions, highlighting the significance of eliminating Cl- by EG radicals and adjusting the conversion process of NO3- for the efficient removal of NO3-.

Effective removal of nitrate by palygorskite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron from aqueous solution

Nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) has become an important pollutant in industrial and agricultural production processes in China. In this study, Palygorskite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI/PG) adsorbent was prepared using the liquid-phase reduction method for the removal of NO3--N from water. Benefiting from the good dispersion uniformity of nZVI on the Palygorskite carrier, the prepared nZVI/PG exhibited a significantly increased specific surface area compared to nZVI, with a noticeable reduction in nZVI aggregation. The Fe/PG mass ratio of 2:1 was found to be the optimal loading ratio for the removal of NO3--N by nZVI/PG, with a removal capacity of 24.36 mg/g and a removal efficiency of 81.23 %, with a nitrogen gas conversion rate of 40.92 %. The removal process of NO3--N by nZVI/PG followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with the removal rate inversely proportional to the initial concentration of NO3--N and directly proportional to the dosage. nZVI/PG exhibited high removal efficiency for NO3--N within the pH range of 2 to 9, with the highest selectivity for NO3--N conversion to N2 observed at pH 5. The main mechanism for the removal of NO3--N by nZVI/PG was found to be adsorption and reduction, with the main products being NH4+-N, NO2--N, and N2.

Effect of the residual levofloxacin on hydroponic vegetables with sewage treatment plant tailwater: Microbial community, discharge risk and control strategy

Tailwater-based hydroponic vegetable is a promising strategy for domestic wastewater recycling. However, the effect of residual antibiotics on the hydroponic vegetable system and the relation between hydroponic culture parameters and the residual water quality are still unclear. Here, the typical antibiotic Levofloxacin (LVFX) was employed, and the effect of LVFX (5 mg/L) on the residual water quality, plant growth and microbial community of water spinach hydroponic culture system were investigated under different hydraulic residence times (HRT). Obvious toxic effects on water spinach were observed, and the highest removal rate of LVFX (about 6 %) and TN (25.67±1.43 %) was observed when HRT was 7 days. Hydroponic culture increased the microbial abundance, diversity, and microbial community stability. To optimize the hydroponic culture, actual sewage plant tailwater spiked with 20 μg/L LVFX, along with three common planting substrates (sponge, ceramsite, and activated carbon) were used for the hydroponic culture of lettuce (seasonal reasons). The inhibition effect of LVFX on the removal of NO3--N and TN was observed even as the LVFX concentration decreased significantly (from 14.62 ± 0.44 μg/L to 0.65 ± 0.07 μg/L). The best growth situation of lettuce and removal rates of NH4+-N, NO3--N, TN, especially LVFX (up to 95.65 ± 0.54 %) were observed in the activated carbon treated group. The overall results indicate the negative effect of residual antibiotics on the hydroponic vegetable systems, and adding activated carbon as substrate is an effective strategy for supporting plant growth and controlling discharged risk.

Rapid removal and catalytic decomposition of nitrate in anion-exchange resin containing gold nanoparticles toward purification of groundwater

We investigated the catalytic reduction of NO3– in various single-metal-introduced anion-exchange resins (AERs) in 1 bar H2 and observed that the reaction proceeded successfully. Among the metals considered in this study, Au was optimal in terms of catalytic activity and ease of catalyst preparation, whereas Ru exhibited the highest activity. The AER with Au (Au@AER) containing the optimal amount of Au (0.3mmol/g) decomposed 0.38mmol/g of NO3– primarily into N2O under optimized reaction conditions (80°C and 5 h). The decomposition amount corresponded to 41 % conversion. The incorporation of Au into the AER increased its ion-exchange capacity from 1.18 (pristine AER) to 1.46mmol/g (Au@AER); in contrast, the ion-exchange equilibrium constant decreased from 1.4 to 0.83 L mol−1 owing to the change in the structure of the anion-exchange sites in the AER. Au@AER was reusable for ion-exchange removal and catalytic decomposition of NO3– up to five times without performance degradation.

Application of Cu@Cu foam and RuO2@Ti for removal of nitrogen compounds and organic matters from non-standard treated municipal wastewater by continuous electrochemical process: Optimization and mechanism

Public health, potable water supplies, and ecosystems are endangered by the disposal or reuse of non-standard effluents of wastewater treatment plants. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6) and USEPA quality standards, this work utilized an innovative electrochemical technique with continuous flow. Cu@Cu foam and RuO2@Ti were prepared for NO3 reduction and NH4 and COD oxidation, respectively. The characterization of electrodes was performed by XRD, EDS, FTIR, FE-SEM, and CV analysis. The effects of parameters including NH4 concentration (10–30 mg N/L), NO3 concentration (4–12 mg N/L), current (0.5–1.5 A), and Cl- concentration (100–400 mg/L) were examined for the removal of NH4, NO3, and COD. Characterization results confirmed that Cu and RuO2 were successfully coated on the surface of electrodes. Operating parameters were optimized using response surface methodology. The ideal conditions for current, Cl- concentration, and HRT were 1.5 A, 347.7 mg/L, and 120 min, respectively for concentrations of 9 mg /L NO3-N, 30 mg/L NH4-N, and 30 mg/L COD. Under these conditions, NO3-N, NH4-N, and COD removal efficiencies were 78 %, 97.8 %, and 61.2 %, respectively. The proposed electrochemical process was a sustainable technology for the concurrently removal nitrogen and carbon with advantages including environmental compatibility, versatility merits, and simplicity.

Enhanced nitrogen removal and greenhouse gas reduction via activated carbon coupled iron-based constructed wetlands

Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been widely used to remove nitrogen in the effluent from sewage plants. Still, the removal capacity of nitrate (NO3−-N) in CWs is unsatisfactory due to the insufficient electron donor. This study explored the role of activated carbon (AC) in nitrogen removal and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction in different iron-based CWs. Long-term experimental results showed that pyrite and sponge iron-based CWs had higher NO3−-N removal rates (98.18 % and 94.10 %). Compared with the control group, AC promoted their total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency (78.87–87.59 %) and reduced GHG emissions (CO2: 3.79–4.11 %, N2O: 2.97–8.78 %, CH4: 9.93–10.73 %). Moreover, AC not only promoted the values of electron transfer system activity (ETSA), the activity of nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase, but also significantly increased the microbial diversity and abundance of the substrate layer in pyrite/SI- based CWs. The relative abundance of the dominant bacteria in CWs with pyrite coupling with AC (PC-CW) was the highest (nirS: 77.60 %, nosZ: 88.98 %) compared with the other CWs. The higher relative abundance of Dechloromonas and Thiobacillus in PC-CW indicated that the composite substrates of pyrite and AC promoted the extracellular electron transfer of denitrifying microorganisms. This study provides new insights into optimizing inorganic electron donors to improve the removal of NO3−-N and the reduce of GHG emissions in CWs for low C/N wastewater treatment.

Optimizing stormwater runoff treatment: The role of two-stage tandem rain gardens

Regarded as a superior urban stormwater management solution, rain gardens can effectively store rainfall runoff and purify water quality. However, the efficiency of traditional rain gardens (TRG) in regulating runoff and removing nitrogen and phosphorus varies under different hydrological conditions. In this study, the TRG was retrofitted to construct a two-stage tandem rain garden (TTRG). Based on the experimental monitoring of rain gardens under natural rainfall from 2011 to 2013, results indicated a significantly higher runoff reduction capacity for the TTRG compared to the traditional garden (p < 0.05), with average runoff and peak flow reduction rates increasing by 42.8% and 36.2%, respectively. Rainfall characteristics significantly impacted the runoff reduction of the TRG (p < 0.05), but not the TTRG (p > 0.05), demonstrating the enhanced control and stability of the TTRG in managing rainfall runoff. The concentration removal efficiency of nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) was significantly improved (p < 0.05), whereas the total phosphorus (TP), ammonium nitrogen (NH3-N) and total nitrogen (TN) were not significantly changed (p > 0.05). The first-order kinetic model was used to fit the removal effect of different pollutants before and after retrofitting the rain garden, and the removal of NO3--N by the TTRG was better than that of the TRG. The TTRG showed significantly higher load removal efficiencies for TP, NO3--N, and NH3-N compared to TRG (p < 0.05), with average load removal rates increasing by 49.92%, 75.02%, and 14.81%, respectively. The TTRG can regulate urban rainfall runoff more efficiently and stably. By changing the water flow path in the rain garden, the TTRG has a better runoff reduction ability and pollutant purification effect.

Enhancing Rural Surface Water Remediation with Iron–Carbon Microelectrolysis-Strengthened Ecological Floating Beds

Ecological floating beds, with their compact footprint and mobility, offer a promising solution for sustainable surface water remediation in rural areas. However, low removal efficiency and instability still limit its application. In this study, iron–carbon-based fillers were integrated into ecological floating beds to investigate their impact and mechanisms in removing pollutants, including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals. Results indicate that all five fillers (activated carbon, iron–carbon fillers, sponge iron, activated carbon + iron–carbon fillers, and activated carbon + sponge iron) can completely remove orthophosphate, and the sponge iron filler system can completely remove nitrate. Then, fillers were applied to ecological floating beds, and the iron–carbon microelectrolysis (activated carbon + sponge iron filler)-enhanced ecological floating bed showed superior removal efficiency for pollutants. It achieved 95% removal of NH4+-N, 85% removal of NO3−-N, 75% removal of total phosphorus, 90% removal of chemical oxygen demand, and 90% removal of heavy metals. Typical nitrifying bacteria Nitrospira, denitrifying bacteria Denitratisoma, and a variety of bacterial genera with denitrification functions (e.g., Rhodobacter, Dechloromonas, Sediminibacterium, and Novosphingobium) coexisted in the system, ensuring efficient and robust nitrogen removal performance. These findings will provide support for the sustainable treatment of surface water in rural areas.

Photo-generated hydrated electrons for selective reduction of nitrate to dinitrogen: Selectivity and mechanism

The hydrated electron (eaq−) is one of the most admired short-lived reactive species (RSs) for selective reduction of nitrate (NO3−) to nitrogen (N2). However, eaq− donor often exhibits reducibility, which may react with intermediate products, affecting the final product composition of NO3− reduction. Herein, Fe2+, SO32− and the combination of Fe2+ and SO32− were selected as eaq− donors for NO3− photo-reduction to explore the roles of eaq− donors in the product of NO3− reduction. The N2 selectivity achieved through Fe2+/UV, SO32−/UV and Fe2+/SO32−/UV systems was found to be 17.03 %, 45.45 %, and 97.53 % respectively. The main products of NO3− reduction in Fe2+/UV system were nitrite (NO2−) and nitrogen oxide (NOX), while in SO32−/UV system were NO2− and hydroxylamine disulfonate (HON(SO3)22−). Notably, in the Fe2+/SO32−/UV system, various short-lived reactive species (eaq−, SO3•−, etc.) were generated, and eaq− was the main reactive species for NO3− reduction. The generated NO2− and NOX intermediates could be quickly converted to N-S compounds, such as HON(SO3)22− by SO32− and SO3•−, while the generated HON(SO3)22− could be further reduced to N2 by the combined action of Fe3+ from photooxidation of Fe2+, UV and eaq−. Significantly, the Fe2+/SO32−/UV system showed high selectivity and efficiency for removal of NO3− from secondary effluent of municipal domestic sewage. This study helps to design new photo-reduction systems for NO3− removal from nitrogen-containing wastewater/water.

Long-term performance of wastewater gardens: follow-up on the status of the wastewater garden in Temacine – Algeria

ABSTRACT This work investigated the long-term performance of a small wastewater garden (WWG) system for treating municipal wastewater, which has been operating continuously since 2007. The studied system consisted of a horizontal subsurface flow (HFCW) and treated a flow rate of 15 m3/day. Results from 15 years of operation showed that the system has an average removal efficiency of 90.76, 85.12, 89.43, 66.87, 94.74, and 94.74% for total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), nitrites (NO2–), nitrates (NO3–), and orthophosphates (PO43−), respectively. The high efficiency of the WWG plant was achieved during 2018–2022 compared to the two first years of operation (apart from the TSS). It was noted that the removal of BOD5, NO2–, NO3–, and PO43− has been improved in the last years of operation. The elimination COD remained relatively consistent between the initial and present period of operation. The finding confirms the high efficiency in the long-term operation of municipal wastewater treatment. Thus, it can serve as a suitable solution for small communities, especially in arid climate areas.

Synchronous or selective removal of nitrate and Cr(VI) by montmorillonite supported sulfidized nanoscale zerovalent iron: Role of Fe(II) and S0

The reduction process of Cr(VI) and NO3−-N by sulfidized nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) under coexistence conditions has yet to be investigated. This study innovatively confirmed that NO3−-N and Cr(VI) could be reduced synchronously or selectively by synthesizing diverse montmorillonite-supported S-nZVI (S-nZVI@MMT) to meet different remediation requirements. Concretely speaking, S-nZVI@MMT at low S/Fe could synchronously reduce NO3−-N and Cr(VI) to NH4+-N and Cr(III). S-nZVI@MMT at high S/Fe selectively removed Cr(VI). The vital roles of Fe(II) and S0 in S-nZVI@MMT were clearly revealed. Fe(II) mainly involved in the generation of Fe3O4 during the reaction at low S/Fe, while participating in the transformation of amorphous phases of Fe3O4, FeS, and FeS2 at high S/Fe. The Fe0 and converted Fe3O4 were the primary reactive sites for the synchronous removal of NO3−-N and Cr(VI) while the surface-bound Fe(II) and converted amorphous phases of Fe3O4 and FeSx determined the selective removal of Cr(VI). Meanwhile, the high contents of S0 in S-nZVI@MMT at high S/Fe mediated the generation of FeSx during the reaction and blocked the adsorption and reduction of NO3−-N which was critical for the selective removal of Cr(VI). The variations in the reactive species of S-nZVI@MMT at different S/Fe led to discrepant Cr(VI) reaction pathways. The findings provided new insights and strategies for the practical applicability of S-nZVI. SynopsisStudy provides a new insight into the synchronous/selective removal of Cr(VI) and NO3−-N by S-nZVI to meet the remediation requirements for different application scenarios.

Metagenomic unveils the promotion of mainstream PD-anammox process at lower nZVI concentration and inhibition at higher dosage

The partial-denitrification-anammox (PdNA) process exhibits great potential in enabling the simultaneous removal of NO3−-N and NH4+-N. This study delved into the impact of exogenous nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) on the PdNA process. Adding 10 mg L−1 of nZVI increased nitrogen removal efficiency up to 83.12 % and maintained higher relative abundances of certain beneficial bacteria. The maximum relative abundance of Candidatus Brocadia (1.6 %), Candidatus Kuenenia (1.5 %), Ignavibacterium (1.3 %), and Azospira (1.2 %) was observed at 10 mg L−1 of nZVI. However, the greatest relative abundance of Thauera (1.3 %) was recorded under 50 mg L−1. Moreover, applying nZVI selectively enhanced the abundance of NO3−-N reductase genes. So, keeping the nZVI concentration at 10 mg L−1 or below is advisable to ensure a stable PdNA process in mainstream conditions. Considering nitrogen removal efficiency, using nZVI in the PD-anammox process could be more cost-effective in enhancing its adoption in industrial and mainstream settings.

Accelerating the production of formate radicals for nitrate purification via a redox-regulated photocatalysis route

The treatment of nitrate (NO3−) pollutants is crucial for human health in the context of environmental pollution. Synergistic photocatalytic redox technology is feasible for reducing low-concentrated NO3− to achieve environmental purification. As combined redox reactions proceed in one photocatalysis system, incorporating suitable oxidative reactions is one potential strategy to enhance photocatalytic NO3− reduction efficiency. Herein, almost 100 % removal efficiency of NO3− and superior N2 selectivity of 93.99±0.45 % is achieved through the precise matching of synergistic oxidative half-reactions. The crucial role of active radicals is revealed. Specifically, the conversion efficiency of NO3− is determined by the cooperation of formate radicals (•CO2−), which are generated from the selective oxidation of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde or glyoxal. Among them, the optimum yield of •CO2− radicals are reached from the formaldehyde oxidative reaction. It is clarified that this research will contribute to a deep understanding of the removal and purification of NO3− in wastewater.

Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Low Polluted Wastewater by Aquatic Plants: Impact of Monochromatic Light Radiation

Plant absorption via aquatic plants is vital for the deep purification of treated wastewater. This study aimed to determine the removal efficiencies of nitrogen and phosphorus for different aquatic plants and the effect of monochromatic light as compared to white light. Five plants (i.e., Iris pseudacorus, Oenanthe javanica, Zantedeschia aethiopica, Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. and Sagittaria trifolia) were cultured in prepared wastewater and radiated by white, red, green and blue LED lamps with 8 h radiation per day, respectively. After 4 d of cultivation, the O. javanica and S. trifolia exhibited relatively better growth status and higher TP removal rates (90%). The blue light radiation played a key role in the TP uptake of the tested plants. The N removal rates of plants were relatively lower (10–40%), limited by the low COD content. The S. trifolia exhibited the highest efficiency, and red light promoted the removal of TN and NO3−-N, whereas NH4+-N removal was driven by blue light radiation. So, O. javanica and S. trifolia coupled with blue and red lamps as supplementary light were suggested for the deep purification of municipal treated wastewater. The effect of intensity and ratio of monochromatic lights could be a direction for further research.

Fate of organic nitrogen in amino acids during alternating denitrification and nitrification

Nitrogen-containing organic compounds, such as amino acids in soybean-processing wastewater, can be used as electron donors to drive denitrification, but their biodegradation releases ammonium nitrogen that must be nitrified and denitrified to maintain total-nitrogen removal. We evaluated glutamate, isoleucine, and methionine as example amino acids to explore the fate of nitrogen when they are used as electron donor to drive denitrification during two stages of alternating denitrification and nitrification. The experimental results documented that each amino acid enabled complete removal of exogenous NO3− in the first stage of denitrification and complete NO3− removal in the second stage. After two alternations of denitrification and nitrification, the TN concentration in effluent was less than 5 mgN/L for all amino acids, and COD in the effluent was less than 25 mg/L. Based on stoichiometry and the ratio of chemical oxygen demand (COD) to organic N in each amino acid, 57%–66% of the COD from the amino acids had to be oxidized to reduce the endogenous NO3−–N in the first stage. N from the amino acids was nitrified and denitrified in the subsequent nitrification and denitrification stages, and the percentages of COD used for denitrification from both stages were 72%–85%. The residual NH4+-N concentrations were slightly higher with methionine, possibly due to inhibition from sulfide released from methionine.