Cometabolic removal of organic micropollutants by enriched nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidizing cultures

The innovative and recently discovered n-damo process, based on anaerobic methane oxidation with nitrite, was developed in a membrane-based bioreactor evaluated terms of organic micropollutants (OMPs) removal. main singularity this study consisted the evaluation removal biological reactor. A strategy consisting progressively increasing nitrogen loading rate order to increase specific denitrification activity followed check if selected OMPs were co-metabolically biotransformed. Significant nitrite (24.1 mg N L?1 d?1) achieved after only 30 days operation. maximum 186.3 gVSS?1 d?1 obtained at end operation, which is one highest previously reported. successfully bacteria enrichment achieved, being Candidatus Methylomirabilis predominant during whole operation attaining relative abundance about 40 %. natural hormones (E1 E2) completely removed bioreactor. rates erythromycin (ERY), fluoxetine (FLX), roxithromycin (ROX) sulfamethoxazole (SMX) correlated rates, suggesting co-metabolic biotransformation.