Enrichment of cold-tolerant nitrifying sludge： community composition and metabolic characteristics

HUANG Xiao; LIANG Yaoyun; ZHAO Yanhui; WEI Jun; GAO Jingsi

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202505001

Volume 43 Issue 5

May 2025

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HUANG Xiao, LIANG Yaoyun, ZHAO Yanhui, WEI Jun, GAO Jingsi. Enrichment of cold-tolerant nitrifying sludge： community composition and metabolic characteristics[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(5): 1-10. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202505001

Citation:

HUANG Xiao, LIANG Yaoyun, ZHAO Yanhui, WEI Jun, GAO Jingsi. Enrichment of cold-tolerant nitrifying sludge： community composition and metabolic characteristics[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2025, 43(5): 1-10. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202505001

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Enrichment of cold-tolerant nitrifying sludge： community composition and metabolic characteristics

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202505001

1. Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China;
2. Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China;
3. School of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Shenzhen 518055, China

Received Date: 2024-07-17
Accepted Date: 2024-10-29
Rev Recd Date: 2024-10-20

Available Online: 2025-09-11

Abstract

Abstract

Low-temperature wastewater falls outside the optimal temperature range for nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria， presenting a challenge for wastewater treatment plants （WWTPs） to meet effluent standards in winter. To address this issue， cold-tolerant nitrifying sludge was enriched. Changes in the abundance of community composition and functional genes during the enrichment were observed. The relationship between biological communities and functional genes was investigated to reveal the physiological functions and nitrogen metabolism mechanisms of biological communities. A sequencing batch reactor （SBR） was established to enrich cold-tolerant nitrifying sludge， with an initial NH₄⁺-N concentration of 50 mg/L at a temperature of 30 °C. The NH₄⁺-N concentration was subsequently increased to 200 mg/L in a gradient of 50 mg/L. Following this phase， the sludge was transferred to a low-temperature incubator maintained at 10°C. NH₄⁺-N concentration in the effluent remained below 5 mg/L after 100 days， indicating that cold-tolerant nitrifying sludge had been successfully enriched. High-throughput sequencing results indicated that high concentrations of NH₄⁺-N reduced microbial richness and diversity， while low temperature mainly reduced microbial diversity. Bacterial communities related to nitrogen cycling， such as Methylophilaceae， Comamondaceae， and Saprospiraceae， remained unchanged. The abundance of functional genes（nifD and nifK） related to nitrogen fixation decreased， while the abundance of nitrate （NO₃^--N） assimilatory reduction gene nasA and nitrite （NO₂^--N） reduction gene（nirB and nirD） increased. Meanwhile， the enrichment process also enhanced carbohydrate metabolism and fatty acid metabolism， strengthening the energy supply by increasing adenosine triphosphate （ATP） hydrolysis to resist adverse conditions. In addition， an increased abundance of key enzymes ［EC：3.5.5.1］，［EC：1.7.99.4］ and ［EC：17.2.4］ was related to nitrogen cycling， confirming the promotion of nitrification and denitrification by enrichment. The above research provides theoretical support for nitrogen removal in sewage treatment under low temperatures.
- enrichment,
- cold-tolerant nitrifying sludge,
- microbial community,
- nitrogen cycling,
- nitrogen removal

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References(39)

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