Simultaneous removal of nitrate, phosphorous and cadmium using a novel multifunctional biomaterial immobilized aerobic strain Proteobacteria Cupriavidus H29

Abstract A novel biomaterial FeCl3/CaCl2/KH2PO4 modified municipal sludge biochar (FCPC) was synthesized. And the impacts of critical factors such as HRT, temperature and C/N ratio on simultaneous denitrification, dephosphorization and Cd(II) removal were investigated. Results show that the highest nitrate removal efficiency reached 92.22% (8.49 mg·L−1·h−1) in test group A and approximately 100% (9.19 mg·L−1·h−1) in test group B. Very low phosphate concentrations (approximately 2.50 mg/L) were detected in the effluent. The average removal efficiency of Cd(II) reached 86.40% (4.42 mg·L−1·h−1) in experimental group A and 90.15% (4.61 mg·L−1·h−1) in experimental group B. Gas emissions and biological precipitation in the bioreactors were monitored, further to confirming contaminant removal mechanisms. Additionally, Cupriavidus H29 was found to contribute dominantly to the FCPC bioreactor activity.