Partial nitrification performance and microbial community evolution in the membrane bioreactor for saline stream treatment

Abstract Effects of salinity level and gradient on partial nitrification performance, sludge properties and microbial activities were investigated using partial nitrification membrane bioreactors (PN-MBRs). PN-MBRs obtained stable nitrite accumulation rate of 91.1% and ammonia removal of 64.8% at 10 g/L NaCl. 10 g/L NaCl obtained higher oxygen uptake rate than 5 g/L, and promoted the differentiation of ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. Salinity increased sludge flocs size, stimulated secretion of extracellular polymeric substances with high carbohydrates contents, but had insignificant impact on sludge settleability and dewaterability. Salt level and gradient were both important for microbial community evolution to salt-tolerant bacteria. PN-MBRs enriched aerobic AOBs (Nitrosomonas and norank_f_Nitrosomonadaceae) and anaerobic AOBs (Candidatus_Kuenenia and Candidatus_Brocadia) for partial nitrification, while salt gradients resulted in different metabolism pathways for nitrification even at the same salinity. Increasing salinity promoted hydroxylamine oxidizer in nitrification process evolving from Candidatus_Kuenenia and Candidatus_Brocadia to aerobic AOBs.