Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. VII
Written by Zuzana BÍLKOVÁ, Karel HRICH, Jitka MALÁ, Kateřina SCHRIMPELOVÁ, Michal KRIŠKA-DUNAJSKÝ
Denitrifying bioreactors are a useful passive treatment technology for the removal of nitrates from agricultural runoff. The start-up phase is the most critical period of their operation. In this phase, denitrification rates gradually increase and organic compounds, which are necessary for denitrification, are released from the bioreactor fill media in excessive amounts. The aim of our study was to evaluate the start-up phase of laboratory denitrifying bioreactors filled with six wood-based materials. The effluent quality of all bioreactors achieved a steady state after max. 9 weeks. The denitrification rates at the end of this period ranged from 0.16 to 5.8 g/m3/d. Initial outlet chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand leaching rates, which were in the hundreds and tenths of g/m3/d, respectively, decreased below 55 and 30 g/m3/d, respectively. Based on the results reported both for the leaching of organic compounds and the removal of nitrates, poplar seems to be the most suitable denitrifying bioreactor fill medium out of all the tested materials.
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