The denitrification process, namely the reduction of nitrate (NO3−) to nitrogen gas (N2), often cannot be simply modelled as a single step process. For a more complete and comprehensive model the intermediates, particularly nitrite (NO2−) and nitrous oxide (N2O), need to be investigated. This paper demonstrates the integration of titrimetric measurements and off-gas analysis with on-line nitrite plus nitrate (NOx−) biosensors, highlighting the necessity of measuring process intermediates with high time-scale resolution to study and understand the kinetics of denitrification. Investigation of activated sludge from a full-scale treatment plant showed a significant accumulation of NO2−, which appeared to impact on the overall denitrification rate measured as NOx− reduction or N2 production. A different sludge obtained from a lab-scale bioreactor produced N2O instead of N2 as the end product of denitrification. The two examples both illustrate the complexity of denitrification and stress the need for the more versatile and detailed measurement procedures, as presented in this paper.
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Research Article|
December 01 2004
Integration of titrimetric measurement, off-gas analysis and NOx− biosensors to investigate the complexity of denitrification processes Available to Purchase
S.H. McMurray;
S.H. McMurray
1The Advanced Wastewater Management Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, 4072, Australia
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R.L. Meyer;
R.L. Meyer
1The Advanced Wastewater Management Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, 4072, Australia
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R.J. Zeng;
R.J. Zeng
1The Advanced Wastewater Management Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, 4072, Australia
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Z. Yuan;
1The Advanced Wastewater Management Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, 4072, Australia
E-mail: [email protected]
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J. Keller
J. Keller
1The Advanced Wastewater Management Centre, The University of Queensland, QLD, 4072, Australia
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Water Sci Technol (2004) 50 (11): 135–141.
Citation
S.H. McMurray, R.L. Meyer, R.J. Zeng, Z. Yuan, J. Keller; Integration of titrimetric measurement, off-gas analysis and NOx− biosensors to investigate the complexity of denitrification processes. Water Sci Technol 1 December 2004; 50 (11): 135–141. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2004.0681
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