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In the Garu-Tempane area and Tamne River basin of north-eastern Ghana, granitic aquifers supply nearly 80% of annually abstracted groundwater. Rapid and diffuse recharge enters the fractured and weathered Tamnean Plutonic Suite aquifers mainly granitoid, which are the dominant rock types in the study area. However, a greater challenge to the water supply in the area is posed by global climatic changes and overexploitation due to population growth. The semi-arid nature of the area together with the factors mentioned earlier has caused water scarcity, particularly in the dry season and these have affected the livelihoods of the farmers who depend mostly on the groundwater for irrigation and domestic purposes. A promising way to balance water resources in the region is using engineering technology such as managed aquifer recharge (MAR). MAR augments water levels in water-scarce areas and represents a key tool in water supply management.
For this reason, a comprehensive hydrogeological characterization involving the hydrochemistry of the groundwater, groundwater recharge process and residence time using multi-environmental tracers, and a numerical groundwater flow model was developed.
Based on the hydrochemistry results, the water quality index showed that the groundwater is very suitable for drinking. However, about 10.5 % out of the 38 groundwater samples had elevated nitrate concentrations exceeding the permissible WHO drinking water limit. These are mainly agricultural areas, which might have influenced the elevated nitrate concentrations.
Groundwater age dating using sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) was used to date shallow groundwater in Ghana for the first time. The results proved that the mean residence time of groundwater was around 30 years, an indication of young groundwater and rapid groundwater renewability. The findings also showed different groundwater ages implying diffused flow systems occurring in the fractured granitic aquifer.
Investigation of the groundwater recharge using stable isotopes of deuterium and oxygen-18 revealed that the main source of groundwater recharge is of meteoric origin. There were little or no contributions from the stream and ponds as they were subjected to evaporative fractionation during the dry season. The White Volta River samples and samples from two big rivers were depleted in heavy isotopes, which suggested a hydraulic connection between them and the groundwater.
The numerical groundwater flow model was used to assess the feasibility of MAR and determine the maximum recharge and abstraction rates. The results showed that the aquifer had enough storage to accommodate enough volumes of floodwater without causing groundwater mounding. This shows that MAR is feasible in augmenting the water levels in the area when irrigation and domestic withdrawals are regulated.
Determination of specific metabolic activities of anammox bacteria and their sensitivity to oxygen
(2013)
The discovery of Anammox bacteria has bridged our knowledge gap in the nitrogen cycle. This is because it explained the direct conversion of nitrite and ammonium to nitrogen gas in many reducing natural environments. However, it has been found that the presence of oxygen is an important determinat factor for certain biochemical processes and distribution of organisms in the environment. In this work, two methodological approaches were used to investigate the specific metabolic activities of Anammox bacteria and their sensitivity to oxygen using a mixed biomass culture. Two laboratory-scale bioreactors were maintained and the biomass in the reactors served as the inoculum for the investigations. The molecular characterization of the biomass was done using the Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. The specific Anammox activity (SAA) and important inhibition kinetic parameter characterization were estimated while monitoring activities of the biomass using several batch experiments.
The results of the biochemical characterization revealed that several microbial activities such as denitrification, nitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium and Anammox processes were competing in the bioreactors. These were observed in the analysis of effluent recirculation of the feed solutions in the bioreactors, however, the Anammox process was predominant. An optimum sonication time top of eight minutes was established used to determine the average optical density to dry mass (OD: DM) ratio of 0.87 in the biomass. The FISH characterization estimated 60.4 % ± 14.6% (mean ± standard deviation) Anammox bacteria concentration in the biomass of Bioreactor 1. The Anammox bacteria were made up C. Kuenenia Stuttgartiensis (̴ 78%) and the remaining C. Brocadia Fulgida.
The maximum SAA of 0.025 mgNH4-N (TSSAnammox-1. d-1) and 5.4 mgNH4–N (1011 CellAnammox-1. d-1) for ammonium, and 0.04 mg N2-N (TSSAnammox-1. d-1) and 9.4 mgN2–N (1011 CellAnammox-1. d-1) for nitrogen gas were found in the biomass. While a binding affinity constant Ki = 0.07 mgO2 /l, maximum half inhibition concentration IC50 ̴ 0.2 mg O2 /l and KM = 50 mg/l were estimated for the inhibition kinetics of oxygen in the biomass. The low Ki value found in this study indicates that oxygen is an efficient inhibitor for Anammox activities and concentrations between 0.4 - 0.64 mg O2 /l can lead to complete inhibition of Anammox activity. However, this process is reversible. Finally, the implication of this inhibition kinetic results might be important in tracing the distribution of Anammox processes in natural environments where fixed nitrogen is present.
In der kommunalen Abwasserreinigung werden unter anderem Biofilmverfahren mit frei beweglichen Aufwuchskörpern mit einer Dichte von ca. 1 kg/m³ (Schwebebett) eingesetzt. Der Betrieb des Biofilmreaktors entspricht einem Mischreaktor. Gegenstand der Arbeit ist, einen Beitrag zur weiteren Aufklärung des komplexen Zusammenhanges von Bemessungsdaten und den Zustandsgrößen des Biofilmverfahrens mit frei beweglichen Aufwuchskörpern zu leisten.
Es erfolgen verfahrenstechnische Betrachtungen von Aufwuchskörpern unterschiedlicher Geometrien zur Durchmischung innerhalb kurzer Zeit im Reaktor und des dazu erforderlichen energetischen Aufwandes. Des Weiteren wird der optimale Füllgrad von Aufwuchskörpern in Abhängigkeit von der Reaktorgestaltung bestimmt.
Unter definierten Laborbedingungen konnten Erkenntnisse hinsichtlich des Temperatureinflusses sowie der BSB5 - Oberflächenbelastung auf die Abbauleistung gewonnen werden. In halbtechnischen Versuchen auf den Kläranlagen Kaditz und Rochlitz fanden Untersuchungen zum Einfahrverhalten unterschiedlicher Aufwuchskörper zu Biomassebildung und zu Abbauleistung statt. Auf der Kläranlage Lunzenau wurde eine im technischen Maßstab nachempfundene Kleinkläranlage im Hinblick auf den Einfluss der organischen Belastung auf die Biomassebildung und Abbauleistung betrieben. Die Bewertung der beschriebenen Versuchsanlagen sowie im Betrieb befindlicher Kleinkläranlagen erfolgt bezüglich der Abwasserkenngrößen, wie Schlammbelastung, Überschussschlammbildung, Schlammalter und Wachstumsraten.
Die Messung von Schichtdicken sowie die Erstellung von Sauerstoffprofilen ermöglicht es, Aussagen zur Effektivität des Stofftransportes im Biofilm zu treffen. Von Interesse sind Aussagen zur Aktivität der Mikroorganismen im Biofilm, welche durch Bestimmung von Enzymaktivitäten (Esteraseaktivität) ermittelt werden konnten. Die simultan ablaufenden Prozesse des Kohlenstoffabbaus, der Nitrifikation und der Denitrifikation durch den Biofilm werden hinsichtlich ihrer Potenziale, Leistungsfähigkeit und Grenzen untersucht, ebenso wie die Elimination von Phosphor.
Auf Grundlage der gewonnenen Erkenntnisse können theoretische Berechnungen zum Sauerstoffbedarf und zur Sauerstoffzufuhr hergeleitet werden. Insbesondere Kleinkläranlagen und kleine Kläranlagen werden durch den Eintrag von Antibiotika und Desinfektionsmitteln aus Haushalten und Kleingewerbe nachhaltig im Betriebsablauf gestört. Dazu konnten in Laborversuchen Aussagen zu Grenzkonzentrationen ermittelt werden.
Surface water has been used by mankind as the main source of water for domestic agriculture and industrial use in numerous countries around the world. However, water quality can be affected by mining activities which influences the natural environment, human health and aquatic ecosystem. The major pollutants in acid mine drainage are high amount of dissolved sulphate and heavy/toxic metals. Constructed wetlands are promising in situ water treatment methods which helps in the remediation process by stimulating microbial growth within the rhizospheric zone of the plants. The sulphate in constructed wetlands are removed by dissimilatory sulphate reduction in strict anaerobic conditions which helps in the removal of metals as metal sulphides.
The objective of this research is to investigate sulphate and metal removal pathways in constructed wetlands treating acid mine drainage. Therefore, several approaches were applied: (a) various types of model wetlands were used to investigate different removal processes (b) intensification of treatment processes with stimulation of the dissimilatory sulfate reduction in an autotrophic way by the use of hydrogen gas.
The application of hydrogen gas (as external electron donor) combined with common physico-chemical and biological parameters helped us to intensify the sulphate reduction process and removal of metals in constructed wetlands.
In the model wetland systems, the removal efficiencies varied with the types of constructed wetlands. The removal efficiencies of sulphate and metals were high in planted constructed wetlands as compared to unplanted constructed wetland. The combination of gravel bed and plants (Phragmites australis) resulted in the highest removal rate in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland. The metals mostly precipitated to the bottom of the constructed wetland as metal sulphides.
Though under carbon limited and anoxic conditions, a high mean removal efficiency of sulphate and heavy metals was observed in the experiments with HSSF CW so it is important to take into consideration the importance of electron donor. With hydrogen gas as electron donor the performance efficiency was increased by almost 12% for sulphate removal and almost 6% increase in aluminium removal efficiency.
In conclusion, this research exhibit that the combination of physico-chemical measurements along with hydrogen gas as an electron donor is an efficient tool for investigation of sulphate and metal removal processes in constructed wetlands. Such information is not only beneficial for understanding the processes taking place in these wastewater treatment facilities but also necessary for future technological improvement of constructed wetlands.
Energieeffizientes Nährstoffsplitting von flüssigen Wirtschaftsdüngern mittels Membranfiltration
(2017)
Die definierte Selektivität der Membranfiltration kann dazu genutzt werden, einzelne spezifische Gülle-Separationsprobleme in übergeordneten Aufbereitungsklassen zusammenzufassen. Mit dem Ansatz einer gesteuerten Nährstofftrennung bzw. Teilzusammenführung von modifizierten Strömen, und der Zuordnung von spezifischen Aufgaben an die Mischprodukte, werden die Nachteile des Ausgangsrohstoffs reduziert und der Wertstoff Gülle rückstandsfrei nutzbar gemacht. Mit einem Anlagenmodell, bestehend aus einer Hydrotankpresse als Vorfiltration und einer Ultrafiltration als Kernkomponenten, ist es über empirisch ermittelte Betriebsparameter möglich, einen energetisch optimierten und kontinuierlichen Produktionsbetrieb durchzuführen. Als Produkte der dezentralen Aufbereitungsanlage werden ein emissionsreduzierender Flüssigdünger, eine als Brennstoff und als Gärsubstrat geeignete Feststoffphase, sowie das Retentat als aktivierendes Material zur Biogasertragssteigerung gewonnen. Das untersuchte Anlagenmodell ist auf den innerbetrieblichen Einsatz in Milchviehhaltungsbetrieben abgestimmt. Mit der Erarbeitung von stabilen und energetisch günstigen Anlagenbetriebspunkten wird das Anlagenverhalten hydraulisch steuerbar. Durch die Zuordnung von Anlagenzuständen zu differenziertem Spülverhalten, wird die direkte Einflussnahme der Temperatur auf den Permeat-Flux erkennbar. Der Einsatz eines Tauchkühlers, mit voreingestellten Grenztemperaturen, stabilisiert signifikant das Anlagenverhalten im Vergleich zu konventionellen Anlagenkonfigurationen. Die Anwendung einer Hydropresse gestattet höhere TDS-Belastungen im UF-Kreislauf, bietet aber kein Potenzial zur Steigerung der Nährstoffdurchsätze. Dies gilt auch für den Einsatz einer 300 kDa-Variante, im Vergleich zur priorisierten 150 kDa-UF-Membran. Mit der Hydropresse kann eine höhere Feststoffabscheidung wie mit Verstopfungs- bzw. Siebfiltrationen erreicht werden, die TDS-Belastungen sind im Retentat auf 5.000 - 7.000 ppm limitiert, oder müssen durch Verdünnung auf diese Werte eingegrenzt werden. Mit der zusätzlichen Anwendung einer Gasspülung in der Anströmung der UF-Module, können TDS-Belastungen über 10.000 ppm erstmals dauerhaft bewältigt werden. Über die so erweiterte Verfahrenstechnik sind Standzeiten von mehreren Wochen, ohne betrieblich bedingte Unterbrechungen, möglich. Die durch Fluoreszenzmikroskopie nachweisbare Anreicherung von Methanbildnern im Retentat, bestätigt eine mögliche Anwendung des Retentats als Biogassubstratergänzung. Der Biogasertrag wird durch Zusatz von Retentat zu den bisher verfügbaren Substraten generell erhöht. Eine Mischung aus Retentat und dem Feststoff aus der Hydropresse unterstützen die biochemische Stabilisierung in Fermentern. In Kombination mit Anteilen an Feststoff ist das Permeat bei der Bewertung von pflanzenbaulichen Erträgen, als konkurrenzfähig zu Rohgülle und Mineralstoffdünger einzustufen. Das auf landwirtschaftliche Flächen ausgebrachte Permeat ist geruchslos.
In arid countries, reclaimed water in irrigation is a widespread practice. Therefore, robust treatment designs are prerequisite to obtain effluent quality that conforms to the legal requirements for reuse and health standards. Vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) are attractive decentralized treatment plants in many countries and communities. VFCWs are capable of providing adequate treatment for organic and solids removal, even though there are limitations on nutrient and pathogen removal. Within this study, various VFCW systems were investigated, in Germany and Jordan, to optimize nitrogen removal using sustainable and low cost options to guarantee the safe reuse in Jordan.
In Germany at Langenreichenbach research facility, two-stage VFCWs planted (Phragmites australis) and unplanted were evaluated and modified to compare the role of plants over two years. Generally, there was no significant role of plants on the treatment performance. Both systems showed high removal efficiency for TOC, BOD5, and TSS over the study period. During the first year of the study, effluent TN concentrations ranged from 60 - 61 mg/L in both systems as a result of high effluent NO3--N concentrations (50 - 52 mg/L). In the second year, the systems were modified, adopting a saturated layer in the 1st stage to enhance denitrification. Average effluent TN concentrations were reduced to 45 mg/L in both systems. In addition, during modifications, the E.coli removal was enhanced in both systems achieving 4 log reduction instead of 2 log reduction during the first year of the study.
In Jordan at the Fuhais research facility, two VFCW systems were studied considering category-A (TN: 45 mg/L and NO3-N: 30 mg/L) in the Jordanian Standards for reuse in irrigation (JS 893/2006). Recirculating (ECO-1) and Multi-stage (ECO-2) VFCW designs have shown high removal efficiency of COD, TSS, and BOD5 over three years of monitoring. ECO-1 system combines simultaneous nitrification and denitrification by recycling portion of nitrified effluent into the recirculation tank. However, effluent TN and NO3--N concentrations were 55 and 44 mg/L, respectively, that the system conformed to the JS category-B (TN: 70 mg/L and NO3-N: 45 mg/L) during monitoring phase. Therefore, ECO-1 was modified by installing plastic media in the recirculation tank that attached growth increases the abundance and activity of microorganisms. TN concentration was reduced effectively of 40 mg/L, conforming to the JS category-A, whereas, NO3--N concentration was reduced to 37 mg/L, conforming to the JS category-B. However, over the study period, E.coli concentrations were conformed to the JS category-C (more than 1000 MPN/100 mL).
ECO-2 consists of two unsaturated VFCWs in series; single-pass unplanted filter followed by planted filter (Phragmites australis). E.coli removal was relatively high before modification that the effluent conformed to the JS (category-B: 1000 MPN/100 mL), achieving 4.4 log reduction. The effluent TN and NO3--N concentrations did not conform to the JS of 77 and 76 mg/L, respectively, due to insufficiency of carbon source to promote denitrification (high BOD5 removal) during monitoring phase of the study. Thus, ECO-2 was modified adopting raw wastewater step-feeding strategy that a specific volume of raw wastewater was mixed with 1st stage effluent in the mixing tank. TN and NO3--N concentrations were reduced to 52 and 50 mg/L, respectively; conforming to the JS category-B. Whereas, E.coli removal was influenced by E.coli ingress from raw step-feeding, achieving 3.5 log reduction, conforming to the JS category-C.
The short-term impact of irrigation with different water quality and quantity was investigated at the Fuhais site. Soil physicochemical and biological properties in three parallel experimental reuse plots were investigated. The plots were cultivated with lemon trees and were irrigated via a subsurface irrigation system. Moreover, each plot was divided into two subparts (A and B) whereby one part received 11 mm/day of irrigation water and the other received 6 mm/day. Using treated effluent and tap water showed the same trend of increased soli salinity (ECs). Significant difference in ECs, SAR, Mg+2, Ca+2, and Na+ were observed at 0-20 cm as a result of high evaporation and capillary rise that increased salts accumulation in the topsoil. However, using more water reduced the salts accumulation in sub soil layers due to continuous leaching. Whereas, results showed no significant variation in soil texture, structure, moisture, and infiltration rate among reuse plots and subparts. Additionally, results revealed an absence of total coliform, fecal coliform, and E.coli in the irrigated soils, indicating the effectiveness of using subsurface irrigation as a disinfection step for reuse.
Rapid urbanisation in Ghana has resulted in individuals expanding the cities for abodes without considerations of the negative externalities these may have on the environment. One of the major challenges with rapid urbanisation is the formation of urban slums associated with lack of basic sanitation facilities. This has led to recurrent outbreak of cholera and typhoid fever. The use of a single-stage solar-supported hyper-thermophilic anaerobic biogas digester for the treatment of black water has not been investigated, hence this study. The performance of three seeding sludge under three different hyper-thermophilic temperatures (60°C, 65°C and 70°C) were tested in batch tests. The three seeding sludge were sewage sludge, sludge from maize silage and cow manure. The results from the batch tests showed cow manure at 65°C as the preferred seeding sludge and optimal hyper-thermophilic temperature.
A 50 L single-stage laboratory-scale hyper-thermophilic continuous stirred tank reactor (HT-CSTR) was operated to treat only black water for 10 weeks using cow manure at 65°C as the seeding sludge and optimal hyper-thermophilic temperature. Afterwards, co-digestion of blended kitchen food waste and black water was also practised for 12 weeks. With a mean hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 23.3 days, a mean total COD removal of 86.3 % was achieved. The reactor had an average COD volumetric loading rate of 6.22 kgCOD/(m3.d) and remained uninhibited. It also had organic loading rate of 0.3 kgVS/(m3.d) and a degradation performance (R) of 5.43 kgCOD/(m3.d). Treatment of only black water produced biogas with less methane content of 34.9 % even though a stable pH of 6.9 was recorded both in the reactor and in the effluent. Co-digestion with kitchen food waste increased the percentage content of methane in the biogas by 77 % from 34.9 % to 61.8 %.
The effectiveness of the HT-CSTR to hygienise the effluent for agricultural purpose was assessed by spiking the reactor with 200 ml each of 2 x 109 CFU/ml Salmonella senftenbergensis and 8 x 108 CFU/ml Escherichia coli. The HT-CSTR was able to hygienise all bacteria of Salmonella senftenbergensis and E. coli. A simulation test confirmed that between 30 minutes and 1 hour, all the cells of Salmonella senftenbergensis and E. coli in the treatment system were killed at 65 °C. Eubacteria, Methanosarcina spp., Methanomicrobium spp. and Methanococcus spp. were identified in the seeding sludge at the hyper-thermophilic temperature of 65°C. The design, construction and performance of a pilot-scale reactor in Terterkessim slum in Elmina, Ghana was based on results from the laboratory-scale HT-CSTR. It achieved 97 % removal of influent total COD and could produce about 2.52 Nm³CH₄/(kgCOD.d) which could be burned for
at least 8 hours. The effluent cannot be used for cultivation of leafy vegetables such as cabbage since it had some concentrations of pathogens like Salmonella spp. and E. coli but can be used for cotton crop.
The Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor (ASBR) operates by sequential batches, has been studied as an alternative treatment for different systems because of their versatility. The ASBR is applicable for the conversion of a wide variety of organic wastewaters to methane and carbon dioxide (biogas). The main factors affecting the overall performance of the ASBR are: agitation, Substrate/Biomass ratio, geometric configuration of the reactor and the feeding strategy. In this research the strategy agitation was carried out by used of a gaslift system coupled to an ASBR. The aim of the research was the creation of bases for the design and process control of an Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Gaslift Reactor on a laboratory scale in order to find the optimal operating regime and optimize the process. The type of gaslift system to be used is an internal loop with a concentric draught tube configuration, which enables the gas may be sparged either the draught tube or the annulus. The simple design of a gas lift reactor permits less expensive operation, requires less maintenance, low investment costs, low interference and low power consumption.
Scientific and technical objectives of the research include the analysis of macro geometric dimensions of the reactor, developing innovative solutions for optimization of mixing process (gaslift mixing), analysis of the hydrodynamics and the homogenization inside of the reactor.
This study also includes the flow determination in the riser, the evaluation of the liquid circulation velocity in the downcomer and the influence of the vertical draft tube and the effect of top and bottom clearance. Also, the goal was to find an adequate mixture to not destroy microorganisms but to allow the sedimented biomass and undigested solids may rise quickly and mixed with the feed substrate.
In this study, the aims were to investigate the die-off levels of pathogens attainable under conventional biotreatments, introduce alternative hygienization options and study their performance at eliminating pathogens from biowaste. In addition, the study investigated feasibility of biotreatment of potato peels waste (PPW) as management option for the peels waste generated in Dar es Salaam city. Pathogens inactivation studies using simulated biowaste (moisture ˃77%w/w) composed of PPW spiked with Escherichia coli and Salmonella senftenbergensis at laboratory-scale resulted into low temperature-time patterns of the aerobic In-vessel composting system and turned the process anaerobic thus demonstrated inefficiency at eliminating the spiked bacteria. Likewise, two-phase anaerobic digestion at continuous stirred tank reactor confirmed incapable at effecting complete inactivation of the bacteria unless substrate residence is prolonged above 72hrs. These distasteful confirmations inevitably advocate the importance of applying either pre- and/or post-biotreatment hygienization processes on biowaste for safer biotreatments. Existing hygienization options including acid/lime conditioning and batch pasteurization were applied, their hygienization efficacy investigated and the latter validated. Acetic acid treatment of biowaste at pH value 4 for 5days or lime treatment at pH value 11-12 for 1day brought complete die-off in E. coli and S. senftenbergensis. Temperature-time combination at 65°C for 30min was sufficient at effecting ˃1log cycle die-off of the spiked enteropathogens with z-Value of 11˚C for S. senftenbergensis hence validates the temperature-time regime of 70˚C for 30min and 70˚C for 60min set by U.S-EPA/625/R-92/013 and Regulations (EC) No. 208/2006 respectively. In addition, alternative hygienization options namely UV radiation and passive solar heating (PSH) were proposed, applied and evaluated. Modes of application and achievable bacteria die-off for all hygienization options are given in Chapter 2 to 6 of this document. Owing to its small investment capital (mostly do yourself construction), independence from fuel supplies and low running costs, the study highly recommend PSH as environmental friendly and economic viable pre- and post- biotreatment hygienization option especially for tropical climates and developing countries with adequate sunshine. In vessel co-composting of PPW with yard-waste at 6:1 ratio gave microbiologically safe and good quality compost. Endowed with higher CO2 removal, mesophilic/thermophilic two-phase anaerobic processing of PPW showed comparable results to biogasification from other biowaste. Biogas productivity from PPW was 2.3lNbiogas/l.day with an average CH4 yield of 0.13-0.35m3/kgoTS input having 58% CH4. The digestion resulted into H2S removal from above LoQ to less than 230ppm with 81% VS removal at substrate OLR of 2.4kgoTS/m3.day input without sign of inhibition. It is estimated that 1.0m3biogas with 5hrs burning potential and equivalent to 3.5kg firewood can be produced from 10.2kg of PPW anaerobic digested. The resulting biogas production would complement household energy need thus conserve forest resources which are subjected to high deforestation rate estimated at 4.1kilotons of wood per day as fuelwood. Digestate resulting from the anaerobic reactors would make valuable fertilizer to urban agriculture thus enhance soil fertility and productivity.
Durch anthropogene Aktivität hat sich der Nährstoffeintrag in die Umwelt stark erhöht. Die Hauptquellen sind die Landwirtschaft, kommunales und industrielles Abwasser. Erhöhte Stickstofffrachten haben einen starken Einfluss auf den Stickstoffkreislauf. Das Überangebot an Stickstoff führt zu Eutrophierung in Gewässern und somit zu einem weniger diversen, instabileren Ökosystem.
Die Stickstoffeliminierung aus Abwässern ist essentiell für den Schutz der Ökosysteme. Das etablierte System der Nitrifikation/Denitrifikation ist aufgrund des hohen Sauerstoffbedarfs sehr energie- und somit auch kostenintensiv. Der Anammox-Prozess (anaerobe Ammonium Oxidation) ist eine potentielle Alternative zur konventionellen Stickstoffelimination. Anammox-Bakterien nutzen Ammonium und Nitrit als Elektronenakzeptor. Durch Nutzung der partiellen Nitrifikation in Kombination mit Anammox (PN/A) kann bis zu 60 % der Belüftungsenergie eingespart werden. Trotz Erfolgen in der Teilstrombehandlung ist der Prozess noch nicht erfolgreich in der Hauptstrombehandlung eingesetzt worden. Die größten Herausforderungen sind die niedrigen Temperaturen, geringe Zulaufkonzentrationen und hohe Konzentrationen organischen Kohlenstoffs.
Die vorliegende Arbeit konnte die Wirksamkeit von membranbelüfteten Biofilm Reaktoren unter Verwendung von synthetischem Abwasser bei niedrigen Temperaturen (18 - 8 °C) belegen. Die Innovation in diesem System ist die räumliche Trennung von nitrifizierenden Bakterien und Anammox Bakterien. Die regelmäßige mechanische Entfernung des Nitrifikanten-Biofilms ermöglichte einen langzeitstabilen Reaktorbetrieb.
Diese Reaktorkonfiguration konnte auch erfolgreich für hochsaline Abwässer (5 -30 g NaCl*L-1) bei einer Reaktortemperatur von 30 °C und auch unter Zugabe von TOC (40-100 mg TOC*L-1) genutzt werden.
Weiterhin wurden Untersuchungen zur Aktivität von salzadaptierter Anammox-Biomasse und nicht adaptierter Biomasse in einem Bereich von 0 bis 50 g NaCl*L-1 durchgeführt. Bei Konzentrationen unter 30 g NaCl*L-1 konnten keine signifikanten Unterschiede im Abbauverhalten festgestellt werden. Allerdings war adaptierte Biomasse bei höheren Salzkonzentrationen konkurrenzstärker.
Außerdem wurden Langzeitlagerungsversuche durchgeführt. Die Lagerungsbedingungen variierten in der Lagerungstemperatur, im Redoxpuffer und der Nährstoffversorgung. Nach 106 Tagen bei 4 °C konnte die Anammox-Biomasse noch 91 % ihrer ursprünglichen Aktivität erhalten. Somit konnte eine einfache und kostengünstige Lagerungsmethode für Anammo-Bakterien entwickelt werden.