Nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria in aerobic granules formed in sequencing batch airlift reactors

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate nitrifying bacteria and denitrifying bacteria isolated from aerobic granules. Aerobic granules were formed in an internal-circulate sequencing batch airlift reactor (SBAR) and biodegradation of NH3--N was analyzed in the reactor. Bacteria were isolated and determined from aerobic granules using selected media. The growth properties and morphology of bacteria colonies were observed by controlling aerobic or anaerobic conditions in the culture medium. It was found that bacteria in aerobic granules were diverse and some of them were facultative aerobes. The diversity of bacteria in aerobic granules was a premise of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification.