Nitrate removal from aquaculture effluents using woodchip bioreactors improved by adding sulfur granules and crushed seashells

Mathis von Ahnen*, Per Bovbjerg Pedersen, Johanne Dalsgaard

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This study examined the effects on nitrate removal when adding sulfur granules and crushed seashells to a woodchip bioreactor treating aquaculture effluents. Using a central composite design, the two components were added at three levels (0.000, 0.125 and 0.250 m3/m3 bioreactor volume) to 13 laboratory-scale woodchip bioreactors, and a response surface method was applied to find and model the optimal mixture ratios with respect to reactor performance. Adding 0.125 m3/m3 sulfur granules improved the total N removal rate from 3.27±0.38 to 8.12±0.49 g N/m3/d compared to pure woodchips. Furthermore, the inclusion of crushed seashells together with sulfur granules helped to maintain the pH above 7.4 and prevent a production (i.e., release) of nitrite. According to the modeled response surfaces, a sulfur granule:crushed seashell:woodchip mixture ratio containing about 0.2 m3 sulfur granules and 0.1 m3 crushed seashells per m3 reactor volume would give the best results with respect to high N removal and minimal nitrite release. In conclusion, the study showed that N removal in woodchip bioreactors may be improved by adding sulfur granules and seashells, contributing to the optimization of woodchip performance in treating aquaculture effluents
Original languageEnglish
JournalWater Science and Technology
Volume77
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)2301-2310
ISSN0273-1223
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Nitrate removal from aquaculture effluents using woodchip bioreactors improved by adding sulfur granules and crushed seashells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this