Diversity and functional regulation of nitrogen and phosphorus removal bacteria in wastewater biological treatment systems

Abstract

The performance of biological treatment units in wastewater treatment plants critically determines the efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The community structure, metabolic activity, and interspecies synergy and competition among the denitrifying and phosphorus-removing bacteria are pivotal for the functionality of these treatment units. This study investigated the core flora and metabolic mechanisms of bacteria involved in nitrogen and phosphorus removal within the wastewater biological treatment systems. The physiological properties for key denitrifying microorganisms such as Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrospira, Nitrobacter, Ca. Kuenenia, Ca. Brocadia, and Thauera at the species level were analyzed. An overview of the physiological properties of phosphorus-removing bacteria, including Candidatus Accumulibacter, Dechloromonas, and Tetrasphaera, were also provided. Additionally, this study explored the synergistic and competitive relationships among these bacterial species and discussed the regulation of their functions through process redesign, operational optimization, and artificial enhancement. These insights were to offer a theoretical basis for controlling biological treatment units and upgrading wastewater treatment facilities.

Keywords

• wastewater treatment
• bacterial diversity
• nitrogen and phosphorus removal
• functional regulation