Optimization of nitrification process by a bacterial consortium in the submerged biofiltration system with ceramic bead carrier

Laboratory-scale solid phase submerged system was developed to study the process of ammonium biodegradation. Ceramic beads were found to be an appropriate carrier material for the attachment of thePNN bacterial consortium (Pseudomonas sp., Nitrosomonas sp., Nitrobacter sp.) exhibiting nitrification/denitrification activity. This consortium was previously isolated from a biological activated sludge process at a fish factory wastewater treatment plant. Three organic amendments - molasses, humic acid extract, and malt extract - were used for the ceramic bead pretreatment. Molasses significantly enhanced (p<0.05) the process of bacteria attachment onto the ceramic carrier and further ammonium removal from the bulk liquid media. The addition of 0.45% fructose to the column notably enhanced ammonium oxidation, as demonstrated by more rapid formation of nitrites in the medium when compared to the sets without sugars. The results of this study could be incorporated in a larger-scale test of a biofiltration column using wastewater from a fish processing factory.