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Inhibitory effect of sulfide on the nitrifying respiratory process
Author(s) -
Bejarano Ortiz Diego Iván,
Thalasso Frédéric,
Cuervo López Flor de María,
Texier AnneClaire
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.3982
Subject(s) - nitrite , nitrification , chemistry , sulfide , ammonium , oxidizing agent , nitrate , inorganic chemistry , nuclear chemistry , effluent , activated sludge , environmental chemistry , wastewater , nitrogen , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
Background Biological wastewater treatment by nitrification is widely used; however information on inhibition of nitrification by sulfide is still scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of different initial sulfide concentrations on ammonium and nitrite oxidizing processes . Results In the absence of sulfide, nitrification was completed after 24 h with an ammonium consumption efficiency ( E NH4 + ) of 100.0 ± 2.1% and an ammonium to nitrate conversion yield ( Y NO3 ‐ ) of 0.90 ± 0.01 g NO 3 ‐ ‐N g –1 NH 4 + ‐N consumed. At sulfide concentrations lower than 13.5 ± 0.7 mg HS ‐ ‐S L –1 , E NH4 + was maintained at 100% after 60 h. At sulfide concentrations ranging from 3.1 to 112.0 mg HS ‐ ‐S L –1 , the Y NO3 ‐ decreased from 0.9 to 0.3 due to an accumulation of nitrite, whereas specific rates decreased by 51 to 92% for NH 4 + consumption and by 77 to 97% for NO 3 ‐ production. The IC 50 value (concentration causing 50% inhibition) for ammonium and nitrite oxidation was 2.6 ± 0.3 and 1.2 ± 0.2 mg HS ‐ ‐S L –1 , respectively . Conclusion Sulfide provoked an inhibitory effect on both ammonium and nitrite oxidizing processes, nitrite oxidation being the most affected step. This information is relevant for wastewater treatment, indicating that the presence of sulfide in effluents even at low concentration might strongly alter the nitrifying activity of activated sludge and provoke nitrite accumulation.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry