Nitrogen removal characteristics of biofilms in each area of a full-scale AAO oxidation ditch process

Plastic carriers were installed in different areas of a full-scale anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic (AAO) oxidation ditch process, and the dynamics of nitrogen removal, biofilm morphologies, and microorganism species were investigated. The results showed that the biofilm at the front of the aerobic area (dissolved oxygen [DO] = 0.93 mg L−1) provided the best denitrification, with specific nitrate and nitrite reduction rates of 10.16 and 3.78 mg·(g·h)−1, respectively. The biofilm in the middle of the aerobic area (DO = 1.27 mg L−1) exhibited the best nitrification performance, with a maximum specific ammonia oxidation rate of 3.21 mg·(g·h)−1. The biofilm at the end of the aerobic area (DO = 0.01 mg L−1) exhibited the highest anammox potential with a maximum specific anammox rate of 0.67 mg·(g·h)−1. No correlation was observed between the specific nitrogen removal rates and abundance of nitrogen-removing microorganisms at the genus level. Biofilm denitrification during the process was primarily completed by heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria (Thauera, Acinetobacter, Hyphomicrobium, and Thermomonas). Aerobic denitrifying bacteria (0.19% Thauera and 0.34% Hyphomicrobium) were identified as the main denitrifying bacteria in the middle of the aerobic area. The dominant nitrifying microorganisms in the middle of the aerobic area were Nitrosomonas (0.50%) and Nitrospira (1.04%). A biofilm in the end of the aerobic area exhibited specific anammox potential, which may have been related to the dominance of 0.024% Candidatus Brocadia. Kinetic analysis revealed that adding plastic carriers to the front and middle of the aerobic area contributed to stable nitrogen removal efficiency.