Start-up of sequencing batch reactor with Thiosphaera pantotropha for treatment of high-strength nitrogenous wastewater and sludge characterization.

Biological treatment of high-strength nitrogenous wastewater is challenging due to low growth rate of autotrophic nitrifiers. This study reports bioaugmentation of Thiosphaera pantotropha capable of simultaneously performing heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification (SND) in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). SBRs fed with 1:1 organic-nitrogen (N) and NH-N were started up with activated sludge and T.