Study of biofilms based on filamentous bamboo for surface water bioremediation

Abstract

Two kinds of fillers were chosen to explore surface water remediation with a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR). By comparing SBBR with the plastic filling reactor (PFR), which was considered as the control group, the effectiveness of a filamentous bamboo reactor (FBR) for removing organic substances, nitrogen and phosphorous as well as biomass changes. Experimental results suggested that in using a FBR the average removal rates of CODMn, TN, NH₄⁺–N and NO₃—N were 65.70%, 62.18%,48.55% and 65.29% respectively when their initial concentration were 8.81—9.53 mgL⁻¹, 7.20—8.51 mgL⁻¹, 2.71—3.62 mgL⁻¹ and 4.13—5.22 mgL⁻¹. In spite of remarkable advantages over PFR in removing CODMn, TN, NH₄⁺–N and NO₃—N, FBR was not quite effective for removing TP. The uses of bamboo filaments as carriers and carbon source, their high content of hydrophilic functional groups and abundant microbial facies were major reasons why FBR could remedy waters effectively.