Municipal Lagoon systems are often challenged with
facilitating nitrification. Nitrifying bacteria are responsible
for removing ammonia from wastewater. These organisms
are generally in low abundance in lagoon processes for a few
reasons; [1] nitrification is an energetically taxing process
and [2] nitrification is easily disrupted by inconsistencies
in physical wastewater conditions. For example, moderate
alkalinity and temperature changes can impair ammonia
oxidation. There is limited control over the physical conditions
in lagoon systems. Because of these margins, nitrification is
often the rate-limiting reaction in the treatment process.1
Lagoon systems can be augmented with concentrated
cultures of nitrifying bacteria to promote nitrification. The
following case study accounts the bioaugmentation of
BioLynceus® ProBiotic Scrubber® II (PBII) in a wastewater
lagoon network struggling to remove ammonia
concentrations.
A 0.2 MGD covered lagoon system in Colorado was having
issues maintaining a nitrifying biomass. At times, the process
basins had inconsistent temperature and alkalinity. During
the winter months the wastewater would become very
cold halting nitrification. Consistent alkalinity was not well
maintained in the system. These factors, among others not
identified, limited nitrification in the lagoons.
The city wastewater management wanted to improve
nitrification in their process. They had effluent ammonia
limits to meet and would need to promote ammonia removal.
In need of bioaugmentation, the city contacted BioLynceus®.
PBII, a highly diversified consortium of living bacteria
abundant in nitrifiers, was augmented in the lagoon to
stimulate the nitrification process. Product was applied
over three months, April, May and June. Wastewater
temperatures were above 3 degrees Celsius.
1 Gerardi, M. (2016). Wastewater Bioaugmentation and Biostimulation.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania: DEStech Publications, Inc. Pp. 64.
Figure 1. Pre-treatment (greys) and treatment (blues) influent (Inf.
PT & Inf. T) and effluent (Eff. PT & Eff. T) ammonia concentrations
displayed as measured in the lagoon system over two consecutive
years in April, May, and June.
Figure 2. Monthly percent ammonia removed in the lagoon system
was determined for April, May, and June of the year prior to
treatment (grey) and during treatment (blue). Percent ammonia
removed was calculated by comparing influent and effluent
ammonia concentrations.
Compared to the same time period the previous year,
influent ammonia concentrations increased each month,
and effluent concentrations decreased (Figure 1). Effluent
ammonia concentrations were approximately 96% lower
with treatment the following year April to June. Furthermore,
percent ammonia removed in the process was increased
by 23% in April, 31% in May, and 98% in June (Figure 2).
Augmenting the lagoon system with PBII supported efficient
nitrification and better effluent quality.
BioLynceus® ProBiotic Scrubber® II helps promote nitrification in wastewater lagoon systems.