Novel dual-particle sulfur-driven partial denitrification coupled with anammox for robust nitrogen removal at ambient temperature

Abstract

To address the current shortage of organic matter and enable the effective utilization of inorganic carbon resources in wastewater, a dual-particle carrier system was developed by integrating elemental sulfur (S⁰) particles with anammox granular sludge, aiming to establish a S⁰-driven partial denitrification coupled with anammox (S⁰PDA) process for the simultaneous removal of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^–. Under seasonal temperature fluctuations (11.9–26.6 °C, average 17.5 °C), the system achieved a total inorganic nitrogen removal efficiency (TIN_RE) of 95.7% ± 4.6%. Kinetic and mechanistic analyses revealed that NO₃^– was preferentially reduced over NO₂^– by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB), while anammox bacteria (AnAOB) competitively utilized NO₂^–, thereby enhancing NH₄⁺ reduction. Thiobacillus and Candidatus Brocadia were identified as the dominant bacterial genera, with both genera exhibiting niche differentiation under ambient temperature: Thiobacillus predominantly colonized S⁰ particle surfaces, whereas Candidatus Brocadia was preferentially enriched in granular sludge, thereby minimizing substrate competition. Overall, the dual-particle S⁰PDA system demonstrated robust performance under ambient conditions, providing a sustainable solution for low C/N wastewater treatment.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Wastewater treatment / Sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification / Anammox-mediated nitrogen removal / Temperature-tolerant resilience / Microbial niche differentiation

Highlight

	● Novel dual-particle S0PDA system started up rapidly within 5 d.
	● The S0PDA system achieved efficient N-removal with zero organic carbon addition.
	● TINRE was 95.7% ± 4.6% at an average temperature of 17.5 °C under seasonal fluctuations.
	● SOB preferentially reduced NO3– over NO2–, whereas AnAOB competitively consumed NO2–.
	● Microbial niche differentiation stabilized N-removal in dual-particle carrier.

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