Ecosystems currently face widespread biodiversity losses and other environmental disturbances, such as climate warming, related to increased anthropogenic activities. Within this context, scientists consider the effects of such changes on the biodiversity, and hence on the activity, of soil microorganisms. Indeed, soil microorganisms mediate a wide range of soil processes. Currently, knowledge on soil microbial diversity is still limited, partially due to technical limitations. The advent of molecular-based analyses now allows studying the soil microbial diversity. These advances in the study of soil microbial communities have lead to a growing evidence of the critical role played by the microbial community in ecosystem functioning. This relationship is supposed to be relevant for narrow processes, regulated by a restricted group of microorganisms, such as the nitrification process. This PhD thesis aimed at studying ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) community structure and richness as an integrated part of soil functioning. This research aimed at investigating the effect of aboveground plant diversity on ammonia oxidizing bacteria diversity and function in forest and grassland soils with focus on the influence of (a) functional group identity of grassland plants (legumes, grasses, forbs), (b) grassland plant species richness and (c) tree species, on AOB diversity and function. Another objective of this research was to study the effect of a 3°C increase in air temperature on AOB diversity and function. The link between AOB diversity and function (potential nitrification) is also investigated. For grassland ecosystems, a microcosm experiment was realized. An experimental platform containing 288 assembled grassland communities was established in Wilrijk (Belgium). Grassland species were grown in 12 sunlit, climate controlled chambers. Each chamber contained 24 communities of variable species richness (S) (9 S=1, 9 S=3 and 6 S=9).The grassland species belonged to three functional groups: three species of each grasses (Dactylis glomerata L., Festuca arundinacea SCHREB., Lolium perenne L.), forbs (non-N-fixing dicots; Bellis perennis L., Rumex acetosa L., Plantagolanceolata L.), and legumes (N-fixing dicots; Trifolium repens L., Medicago sativa L., Lotus corniculatus L.). Half of these chambers were exposed to ambient temperature and the other half were exposed to (ambient +3°C) temperature. One ambient and one (ambient+3°C) chambers were destructively harvested 4, 16 and 28 months after the start of the experiment. The influence of plant functional group identity on the nitrification process and on AOB community structure and richness (AOB diversity) was assessed in soils collected from the first two destructive amplings (chapter 2). The effect of plant species richness on AOB diversity and function was considered for soils sampled after 16 and 28 months (chapter 3). AOB function was determined by potential nitrification. AOB community structure and richness were assessed by polymerase chain reaction followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing of excised DGGE bands. I found that functional group identity can affect AOB community structure. In particular, the presence of legumes, both in monoculture or in mixture with forbs and grasses, lead to AOB community composition changes towards AOB clusters tolerating higher ammonium concentrations. This change in AOB community structure was only linked to increased potential nitrification under monocultures of legumes, when ammonium was supposed to be not limiting. This study revealed that physiological attributes of AOB and resource availability may be important factors in controlling the nitrification process. This research showed that the impact of plant species richness on the nitrification process could be mediated by the interactions between plants and AOB, through competition for substrate. A 3°C increase in air temperature did not affect AOB community structure, richness or function. In forest ecosystems, we studied the effect of tree species in forest sites located in Belgian and in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg covered each by several deciduous or coniferous tree species (Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Lieblein, Picea abies (L.) Karst, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco). We investigated the influence of these tree species on microbial processes (chapter 5) related to C and N cycling, particularly with emphasize on the nitrification process and on the diversity of AOB (chapter 6). The results showed that the effect of tree species on net N mineralization was likely to be mediated through their effect on soil microbial biomass, reflecting their influence on organic matter content and carbon availability. Influence of tree species on nitrification (potential and relative) might be related to the presence of ground vegetation through its influence on soil ammonium and labile C availability. AOB community structure was more site-specific than tree specific. However, within sites, AOB community structure under broadleaved trees differed from the one under coniferous trees. The effect on tree species on AOB was likely to be driven by the influence of tree species on net N mineralization, which regulates the substrate availability for AOB. The results also demonstrated that the relationship between AOB diversity and function might be related both to AOB abundance and AOB community structure and richness. This thesis showed no clear relationship between AOB community structure or richness and AOB function. However, we revealed that aboveground grassland plant richness, grassland plant functional groups and tree species influence AOB community structure and richness. Actuellement, les écosystèmes sont soumis à dimportantes pressions anthropiques et environnementales, pouvant aboutir à des pertes massives de biodiversité. Les scientifiques sinterrogent sur limpact de ces perturbations sur la diversité et, par conséquent, sur lactivité des microorganismes du sol. En effet, ceux-ci régulent de nombreux processus du sol. Actuellement, de nombreuses lacunes subsistent dans la connaissance de la diversité microbienne du sol. Celles-ci peuvent être partiellement attribuées aux difficultés méthodologiques associées à l'étude des micro-organismes du sol. Lavènement des techniques moléculaires nous permet de combler ces lacunes. Les avancées réalisées dans l'étude des communautés microbiennes du sol ont mis en évidence le rôle crucial joué par les communautés microbiennes dans le fonctionnement des écosystèmes. De plus, il semblerait que les processus régulés par un groupe restreint dorganismes, tel le processus de nitrification, soient plus sensibles à toute altération de la communauté. Lobjectif de cette thèse était détudier la structure de la communauté ainsi que la richesse (nombre de bandes DGGE) des bactéries oxydant lammoniac (AOB) comme une partie intégrante du fonctionnement des sols. Notre étude se focalisait sur linfluence de (a) différents groupes fonctionnels de plantes (graminées, légumineuses, dicotylédones), (b) communautés de plantes présentant une richesse spécifique croissante et (c) différentes essences forestières, sur la diversité (structure de la communauté et richesse des AOB) et la fonction des AOB. Cette recherche étudiait également limpact dune augmentation de température de 3°C sur ces paramètres. Létablissement dun lien éventuel entre la diversité et la fonction (nitrification potentielle) des AOB a aussi été envisagé. Concernant les écosystèmes prairiaux, nous avons réalisé une étude en microcosmes. Une plateforme expérimentale comprenant 288 communautés artificielles de plantes a été établie à Wilrijk (Belgique). Cette plateforme consistait en 12 chambres, dont une moitié était à température ambiante et la seconde était à température ambiante augmentée de 3°C. Chaque chambre contient 24 communautés de plantes de richesse spécifique variable (9 S=1, 9 S=3 et 6 S=9). Les communautés de plantes sont créées avec 9 espèces de plantes appartenant à trois groupes fonctionnels : 3 espèces de graminées (Dactylis glomerata L., Festuca arundinacea SCHREB., Lolium perenne L.), de légumineuses (dicotylédones fixatrices dazote ;Trifolim repens L., Medicago sativa L., Lotus corniculatus L.), et de dicotylédones non fixatrices dazote (Bellis perennis L., Rumex acetosa L., Plantago lanceolata L.). Les sols issus dune chambre à température ambiante et dune chambre à température ambiante augmentée de 3°C ont été échantillonnés, respectivement, 4, 16 et 28 mois après le début de lexpérimentation. Linfluence des groupes fonctionnels de plantes sur le processus de nitrification ainsi que sur la structure de la communauté et la richesse des AOB a été mesuré sur les sols issus des deux premiers échantillonnages (chapitre 2). Nous avons mesuré leffet de la richesse croissante en plantes sur la diversité et lactivité des AOB sur les sols échantillonnés après 16 et 28 mois dexpérimentation (chapitre 3). La structure de la communauté ainsi que la richesse des AOB ont été évaluées à laide dune amplification spécifique par réaction de polymérisation en chaîne (PCR) de lADN génomique extrait du sol suivie par une séparation par électrophorèse sur gel dacrylamide en présence dun gradient dénaturant (DGGE). Nous avons identifié les différentes AOB présentes par séquençage des bandes DGGE excisées. Nos résultats ont montré que les différents groupes fonctionnels peuvent affecter la structure de la communauté des AOB. En particulier, la présence de légumineuses, aussi bien en monoculture quen mélange avec des graminées ou des dicotylédones non fixatrices dazote, provoque des changements au sein de la structure de la communauté des AOB, favorisant la présence de clusters tolérants des concentrations en ammonium plus élevées. Ces changements de la structure de la communauté des AOB sont liés à des augmentations de la production potentielle de nitrates (nitrification potentielle) quand lammonium est supposé être non limitant. Cette étude révèle que la physiologie des AOB ainsi que la disponibilité en substrat peuvent être des facteurs majeurs intervenant dans le contrôle du processus de nitrification. Cette recherche montre que linfluence de la richesse spécifique des plantes sur la nitrification pourrait dépendre des interactions entre les plantes et les AOB via la compétition pour le substrat. Une augmentation de la température de lair de 3°C na pas influencé les richesse, structure de la communauté ou les fonctions des AOB. Pour les écosystèmes forestiers, nous aborderons leffet de différentes essences forestières (Picea abies (L.) KARST, Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea LIEBLEIN ; Pseudotsuga menziezii (MIRB.) FRANCO) dans différents peuplements au Grand Duché du Luxembourg et en Belgique. Nous avons étudié l'influence de ces essences forestières sur les processus microbiens (chapitre 5) liés aux cycles du carbone et de lazote, en particulier leur effet sur le processus de nitrification et la diversité des AOB (chapitre 6). Notre étude révèle que linfluence des essences forestières sur la minéralisation nette de lazote pourrait être attribuable à leur effet sur la biomasse microbienne, reflétant ainsi leur effet sur la teneur en matière organique et la disponibilité en carbone. Limpact des essences forestières sur la nitrification (à la fois sur la nitrification relative et sur la nitrification potentielle) serait conditionné par la présence de végétation au sol, en raison de linfluence de celle-ci sur la disponibilité en ammonium et en carbone labile. Nous avons observé que la structure de la communauté des AOB était plus spécifique aux sites quaux essences forestières. Cependant, au sein dun site, elle différait sous feuillus et sous conifères. Les essences forestières influenceraient la structure de la communauté des AOB au travers de limpact quelles ont sur la minéralisation nette de lazote qui régule, quant à elle, la disponibilité en ammonium. Cette recherche démontre que le lien observé entre la diversité et la fonction dépendrait la fois de labondance, de la structure de la communauté et de la richesse des AOB. Cette thèse na révélé aucune relation claire entre la structure de la communauté ou la richesse des AOB et leur fonction. Par contre, nous avons observé que la richesse spécifique et les groupes fonctionnels de plantes prairiales et les essences forestières affectent la structure de la communauté et la richesse des AOB.

Le bassin de la Garonne, deuxième plus grand bassin français de par sa superficie (52000 km2 au Mas d'Agenais), fait l'objet de pressions anthropiques liées aux activités humaines agricoles, domestiques et industrielles.<br />Le prélèvement des eaux de la Garonne et de ces principaux affluents sur une année hydrologique a permis de détecter des enrichissements significatifs pour un grand nombre d'éléments en trace métalliques (ETM : Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn...). Il s'avère que la plus part de ces éléments métalliques en quantité de trace (ppb) sont éventuellement transportés sous forme particulaire par les rivières. De nombreux arguments vont dans le sens d'une source majeure diffuse de pollution à l'origine de ces enrichissements : les pluies. Toutefois, certains enrichissements spécifiques liés à des activités industrielles locales sont observées (cas du Cr sur l'Agout). Les bilans des flux [entrée (pluies), sortie (exutoire)] ont mis en évidence le stockage de certains métaux, vraisemblablement dans les sols et les sédiments du lit de la Garonne.<br />Le suivi des flux d'éléments dissous majeurs (NO3-, Cl-, SO42-, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Na+) et plus spécialement des nitrates, en période de basses eaux estivales (50 m3/s), dans les eaux d'un tronçon de Garonne Toulousaine, a permis la caractérisation et la quantification des apports anthropiques spécifiques en NO3-, Cl-, K+ et Na+ liés à cette agglomération. Certains de ces éléments, nitrates et potassium, sont partiellement éliminés tout au long de ce tronçon. Cette consommation peut être attribuée à l'activité biologique qui se développe dans le lit de la Garonne (développement du biofilm) dans ces périodes critiques où les eaux sont plus anoxiques (moins oxygénées).<br />L'étude plus spécifique du devenir des nitrates dans une zone humide riveraine de la Garonne (site de Monbéqui) a mis en exergue les capacités de ces sites à éliminer ce composé azoté. Ces zones humides sont le théâtre de la rencontre entre les eaux de la Garonne et de la nappe, propice au développement de nombreux processus biogéochimiques. Nous avons identifié et quantifié de fortes consommations biologiques en nitrates dans les zones de mélange entre la Garonne et la nappe. Cela résulte des effets couplés de l'oxydation de la matière organique, de la respiration aérobie, de la dénitrification et de la réduction des oxydes et hydroxydes de Mn et de Fe. Au contraire, dans les zones de sortie de nappe vers la Garonne, il semblerait qu'il y ait nitrification de l'ammonium probablement originaire des profondeurs de la nappe et/ou des sols.

Το Πι-κριτήριο των Bittanti et al. (1973) έχει χρησιμοποιηθεί εκτενώς σε εφαρμογές με στόχο την πρόβλεψη ενδεχόμενης βελτίωσης της απόδοσης ενός μη γραμμικού συστήματος υπό περιοδική είσοδο. Το κριτήριο όμως έχει τοπική ισχύ και περιορίζεται σε περιοδικές διαταραχές μικρού πλάτους. Η παρούσα εργασία αναπτύσσει μια μέθοδο προσδιορισμού διορθώσεων υψηλότερης τάξης στο πι-κριτήριο, προερχόμενη από βασικά αποτελέσματα της θεωρίας κεντρικής πολλαπλότητας (Center Manifold theory). Η προτεινόμενη μέθοδος βασίζεται στην επίλυση της μερικής διαφορικής εξίσωσης της κεντρικής πολλαπλότητας με χρήση δυναμοσειρών. Το τελικό αποτέλεσμα της προτεινόμενης προσέγγισης είναι ο κατά προσέγγιση υπολογισμός του δείκτη απόδοσης υπό μορφή σειράς, η οποία παρέχει ακριβή αποτελέσματα σε μεγαλύτερα εύρη. Η προτεινόμενη μέθοδος εφαρμόζεται σε έναν συνεχή αντιδραστήρα πλήρους ανάδευσης (CSTR), όπου στόχος είναι η μεγιστοποίηση της παραγωγής του επιθυμητού προϊόντος. Κατασκευάστηκε αλγόριθμος που προβλέπει την μόνιμη κατάσταση στην οποία καταλήγει ένα σύστημα απομάκρυνσης αζώτου που αποτελείται από αντιδραστήρα εμβολικής ροής και δεξαμενή δευτεροβάθμιας καθίζησης με ανακύκλωση. Με χρήση υπολογιστικού μοντέλου βασιζόμενο στο ASM3 υπολογίστηκαν οι μόνιμες καταστάσεις αυτού του συστήματος για ένα εύρος καταστάσεων λειτουργίας. Βρέθηκαν οι βέλτιστες τιμές των βαθμών ελευθερίας για την ελαχιστοποίηση του συνολικού αερισμού και για την ελαχιστοποίηση του συνολικού αζώτου στην απορροή. Και στις δύο περιπτώσεις στις βέλτιστες μόνιμες καταστάσεις παρατηρήθηκε έκπλυση των Nitrobacter δηλαδή παράκαμψη της παραγωγής των νιτρικών. / The frequency-dependent Pi criterion of Bittanti et al. (1973) has been used extensively in applications to predict potential performance improvement under periodic forcing in a nonlinear system. The criterion, however, is local in nature and is limited to periodic forcing functions of small magnitude. The present work develops a method to determine higher-order corrections to the pi criterion, derived from basic results of Center Manifold theory. The proposed method is based on solving the Center Manifold partial differential equation via power series. The end result of the proposed approach is the approximate calculation of the performance index in the form of a series expansion, which provides accurate results under larger amplitudes. The proposed method is applied to a continuous stirred tank reactor, where the yield of the desired product must be maximized. An algorithm was constructed, that predicts the steady state of a nitrogen removal system consisting of a plug flow reactor and a secondary clarifier with recycle. Using a numerical model based on ASM3 and a grid of degrees of freedom, the steady states of this system were calculated. The optimal values for minimizing the total aeration were found, as well as those for minimizing the total nitrogen exit flow. In both cases the Nitrobacter bacteria were washed out thus indicating the bypassing of nitrate production.

Metals are naturally found in ecosystems but can also enter via human activity such as fossil fuel combustion, and disposal of metal products. Copper, lead, and iron have frequently been detected throughout Indiana freshwaters based on historical samples. Since microbial activity is a holistic measure of ecosystem function, changes in microbial activity in response to metals may indicate potential areas of concern. Metal concentrations in seven streams of the Upper White River watershed of central Indiana were measured during spring (May) and summer (August) in conjunction with measurement of sediment nitrification rates using the nitrapyrin-inhibition technique. Additionally, the influence of copper, lead, and iron on microbial nitrification was studied using in vitro mesocosms inoculated with stream sediment from selected sites. Copper, lead, and iron concentrations in stream sediment and water varied among sites with sediment concentrations ranging 654 – 1985 mg Fe/kg sediment and 1.00 - 2.91 mg Cu/kg sediment. Water concentrations ranged from below detection to 0.10 mg Fe /L, and 0.01 – 0.02 mg Cu/L. Lead concentrations were below detection at all sites except in May at one site (Pleasant Run Creek 0.47 mg Pb/kg sediment) and in August at one site (Mud Creek 0.38 mg Pb/ kg sediment). Stream sediment nitrification rates were positively correlated to stream sediment copper concentration (r = 0.78, p = 0.001). There was no significant correlation between sediment nitrification rates and stream sediment iron, pH, dissolved iron, or total dissolved solids (TDS; p > 0.05). Positive correlations were found between nitrification response rates and total Fe (r = 0.61, p = 0.02) and Cu (r = 0.74, p = 0.002) concentrations. Experimental mesocosms indicate metal addition of 127 mg/L may reduce stream sediment nitrification rates though stream physiochemical characteristics and history of metal exposure likely dictate microbial response. Further, metal concentrations in the stream sediment may have more of an influence on nitrifying microbes than dissolved metal in the water column. / Department of Biology

Nutrient dynamics in a lodgepole pine forest at Bootleg Mountain, B.C., were investigated through the sampling of soil, snow and groundwater in six one-ha blocks. Nitrogen (NO3-, NH4+, TIN, TDN, TN), phosphorus (PO43-, TDP, TP), and DOC were analyzed in addition to N mineralization and nitrification. Position and dispersion statistics were computed for each variable and correlations (Pearson and Spearman) were computed for each pair of variables. The overall heterogeneities of soil, snow, and groundwater were generally lower between 1-ha blocks than between plots. Productivity in the soil was generally N-limited with low input from snow precipitation. Very little N leached from soil to groundwater. Phosphorus contents were highly variable and were the limiting nutrient in the groundwater. Rates of net and gross N mineralization and nitrification were determined using buried bags and 15N isotope dilutions. Gross rates were greater than net rates and nitrification was low relative to high immobilization rates. The N cycle appears to be tightly regulated, thus further study will be needed to monitor the impact of harvesting on N cycling.

Nutrient dynamics in a lodgepole pine forest at Bootleg Mountain, B.C., were investigated through the sampling of soil, snow and groundwater in six one-ha blocks. Nitrogen (NO3-, NH4+, TIN, TDN, TN), phosphorus (PO43-, TDP, TP), and DOC were analyzed in addition to N mineralization and nitrification. Position and dispersion statistics were computed for each variable and correlations (Pearson and Spearman) were computed for each pair of variables. The overall heterogeneities of soil, snow, and groundwater were generally lower between 1-ha blocks than between plots. Productivity in the soil was generally N-limited with low input from snow precipitation. Very little N leached from soil to groundwater. Phosphorus contents were highly variable and were the limiting nutrient in the groundwater. Rates of net and gross N mineralization and nitrification were determined using buried bags and 15N isotope dilutions. Gross rates were greater than net rates and nitrification was low relative to high immobilization rates. The N cycle appears to be tightly regulated, thus further study will be needed to monitor the impact of harvesting on N cycling.

Nitrogen availability and transformation in acidified and N saturated soils of Czech (The Bohemian Forest, Ore Mountains) and Ukraine (Pop Ivan massif) mountain forest ecosystems were investigated. The study was primarily focused on the role of microbial immobilization in soil N retention. The study was based on field measurements (ion exchange resins), analyses of selected soil biochemical and microbial characteristics, and on laboratory experiments (15N labelling).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:03:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WelitonFBF_DISSERT.pdf: 2010897 bytes, checksum: 9145c54f00922f08967d3beb644f5f73 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-28 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The improper disposal of nitrogen in receiving water courses causes problems such as toxicity to living beings through the consumption of oxygen to meet the nitrogen demand, eutrophication and nitrate contamination of aquifers. For this reason it is often necessary to be carried out complementary treatment of wastewater to eliminate or reduce the concentration of this compound in the wastewater. The objective of this study is to evaluate the biological removal of nitrogen compounds using submerged aerated and anoxic filters as post-treatment of an anaerobic system, with low cost and innovative technology, which in previous studies has shown high removal efficiency of organic matter and great potential biological nitrogen compounds removal. The simple design with perforated hoses for air distribution and filling with plastic parts proved to be very efficient in relation to organic matter removal and nitrification. The system presented, in the best stage, efficiency in converting ammonia to nitrate by 71%, and produced a final effluent concentration below 10 mg / L of NH3-N. In addition, carbon concentration was removed by 77%, producing final effluent with 24 mg/L COD. However, denitrification in anoxic filter was not effective even with the addition of an external carbon source. There was a reduction of up to 56% of nitrogen caused by the process of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND). The high voids space presented by this type of support material coupled with direct aeration of the sludge, allows the respiration of biomass retained between the endogenous phase, increased cell retention time and sludge retention capacity, producing a final effluent with turbidity less than 5 UT and total suspended solids around 5.0 mg/L / A disposi??o inadequada do nitrog?nio em corpos receptores gera problemas como: toxicidade para seres vivos; consumo de oxig?nio do meio para atender a demanda nitrogenada; eutrofiza??o; e contamina??o dos aqu?feros por nitrato. Por esta raz?o ? muitas vezes necess?rio que seja realizado tratamento complementar dos esgotos para eliminar, ou reduzir, a concentra??o deste composto nas ?guas residu?rias. O objetivo deste trabalho ? avaliar a remo??o biol?gica dos compostos nitrogenados utilizando filtros aerados submersos como p?s-tratamento de um sistema anaer?bio, com tecnologia inovadora, de baixo custo, que em estudos anteriores demonstrou grande efici?ncia na remo??o de mat?ria org?nica carbon?cea e grande potencial na remo??o biol?gica de compostos nitrogenados. A forma simples como o sistema foi concebido, com mangueiras perfuradas para distribui??o do ar e preenchimento com pe?as pl?sticas - condu?te cortado - mostrou-se bastante eficiente em rela??o ? remo??o de mat?ria org?nica e na nitrifica??o. O sistema apresentou, na melhor fase, efici?ncia na convers?o de nitrog?nio amoniacal em nitrato de 71%, e produziu efluente final com concentra??o de N-NH3 inferior a 10 mg/L. Al?m disso, observou-se uma redu??o de 77% na concentra??o de carbono, produzindo efluente final com 24 mg/L de DQO. Contudo a desnitrifica??o no filtro an?xico n?o se mostrou eficiente mesmo com a adi??o de uma fonte externa de carbono. Mesmo assim observou-se redu??o de at? 56% do nitrog?nio causado pelo processo de Nitrifica??o e Desnitrifica??o Simult?neas (SND). O grande ?ndice de vazios apresentado por este tipo de material suporte aliado ? aera??o direta do lodo, permite que a respira??o da biomassa retida entre na fase end?gena, aumentado o tempo de reten??o celular e a capacidade de reten??o de lodo, produzindo um efluente final com turbidez inferior a 5 UT e SST em torno de 5,0 mg/L

Esta pesquisa objetivou enriquecer biomassa capaz de realizar a oxidação anaeróbia do amônio (anammox) utilizando inóculo proveniente de reator nitrificante-desnitrificante, com a finalidade de estabelecer biofilme nitrificante-anammox em reator de leito fixo. O enriquecimento foi realizado em reator operado em bateladas sequenciais (RBS), com volume útil de 5 L e tempo de ciclo, inicialmente, de 56 h, e depois, sem tempo predeterminado (estratégias I e II). Após 89 dias de operação, 27,2 mg de \'N\'-\'N0 IND.2\'POT.-\'/L e 32,1 mg de \'N\'-\'NH IND.4\'POT.+\'/L foram consumidos concomitantemente. A estratégia III consistiu de batelada alimentada com ciclos de sete dias com afluente contendo 210 mg de cada composto nitrogenado. Na última estratégia (IV) a operação foi com ciclos de 24 h. Nessa etapa, a carga nitrogenada aplicada (CNA) foi aumentada de 155 g de \'N\' (\'N\'-\'N0 IND.2\'POT.-\' \'N\'-\'NH IND.4\'POT.+\')/\'M POT.3\' dia para 1.405,7 g de \'N\'/\'M POT.3\' dia com eficiências de conversão de nitrogênio de 91,7% e 98,0%, respectivamente. Essa biomassa foi inoculada em reator de leito fixo ascendente (RLF) visando estabelecimento da biomassa anammox em meio suporte (PEBD). Sob tais condições foi obtido eficiência de conversão de nitrogênio de 97,6% e carga nitrogenada removida média de 598,5 \'+ OU -\' 22,5 g \'N\'/\'M POT.3\' dia. Após estabelecimento de biomassa anammox, foi adicionado lodo ativado da indústria Volkswagen (São Carlos-SP) para formação de biofilme nitrificante-anammox. Nessa fase, a remoção de nitrogênio foi de 19,2% para CNA de 112,2 g \'N\'/\'M POT.3\' dia. A atividade anammox específica máxima foi 33,5 mg \'N\'-\'NH IND.4\'POT.+\'/g SSV h com a biomassa submetida à 50 rpm. Paralelamente ao processo de enriquecimento, foi verificada a influência de micronutrientes em condições nitrificantes em três quimiostatos, nas seguintes condições: Q1 alimentado com meio contendo solução de micronutrientes completa, Q2 alimentado sem solução de micronutrientes e Q3 alimentado com solução de micronutrientes sem o elemento Boro (quimiostato experimental). Nas três condições a estabilidade foi atingida com 11 dias de operação com conversão média de nitrogênio amoniacal de 99 \'+ OU -\' 1,5%, 94,6\'+ OU -\' 6,3% e 93,3\'+ OU -\' 7,3%, para Q1, Q2 e Q3, respectivamente, para 79 mg \'N\'-\'NH IND.4\'POT.+\'/L afluente. Após 450 dias de operação do RBS foi constatado semelhança do clones com Brocadia anammoxidans, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, Chlorobi, Nitrospira, filo Chloroflexi e ao filo candidato OP 11. A composição microbiana encontrada no RLF com 139 dias de operação (final da fase anammox) foi de 48% dos clones relacionados à B. anammoxidans, 4% relacionados à Planctomycetes não cultivados, 12% relacionados à Proteobacteria, 8% relacionados à Chlorobi, 24% relacionados à Nitrospira, 4% relacionados ao filo Chloroflexi. Pode-se concluir que a biomassa aderida em PEBD selecionou positivamente microrganismos anammox e Nitrospira e negativamente aos filamentos relacionados ao filo Chloroflexi. / This research aimed to enhance biomass capable of performing anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) using inoculum from nitrifying-denitrifying reactor, with the goal of establishing nitrifying-anammox biofilm in fixed bed reactor. The enrichment was performed in sequencing batch reactor (SBR), with a volume of 5 L and cycle time, initially, 56 h, and then, without pre-set time (strategies I and II). After 89 operation days, 27.2 mg \'N\'-\'N0 IND.2\'POT.-\'/L and 32.1 mg \'N\'-\'NH IND.4\'POT.+\'/L were consumed concomitantly. The strategy consisted of fed batch III with seven days cycles with influent containing 210 mg of each nitrogen compound. The last strategy (IV) was with 24 h/cycle. At this strategy, the nitrogen applied load (NAL) was increased from 155 \'N\' (\'N\'-\'N0 IND.2\'POT.-\' + \'N\'-\'NH IND.4\'POT.+\')/\'M POT.3\' to 1405.7 g \'N\'/\'M POT.3\' day with conversion efficiencies of 91.7% nitrogen and 98.0%, respectively. This biomass was inoculated into fixed bed reactor up (FBR) in order to establish the anammox biomass in support medium (LDPE). Under such conditions was obtained nitrogen conversion efficiency of 97.6% and nitrogen load removed an average of 598.5 \'+ OU -\' 22.5 g \'N\'/\'M POT.3\' day. After establishment of anammox biomass it was added activated sludge - Volkswagen industry (São Carlos-SP) - for nitrifying-anammox biofilm. At that stage the removaI of nitrogen was 19.2% to 112.2 g CNA \'N\'/\'M POT.3\' day. Simultaneously to enrichment process, was verified the influence of micronutrients in nitrifying conditions in three chemostats, as follows: Q1 fed with medium containing micronutrients solution complete feeds without Q2 and Q3 micronutrients solution fed micronutrients solution without the element Boron (chemostat experiment). In the three conditions stability was achieved with 11 days of operation with average conversion of ammonia nitrogen of 99 \'+ OU -\' 1.5%, 94.6 \'+ OU -\' 6.3% and 93.3 \'+ OU -\' 7.3% for Q1, Q2 and Q3 respectively for 79 mg \'N\'-\'NH IND.4\'POT.+\'/L. After 450 days of operation of the RBS was found similarity of clones with Brocadia anammoxidans, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria, Chlorobi, Nitrospira, Chloroflexi phyla and candidate phylum OP 11. The microbial composition found in the FBR with 139 days of operation (end of anammox phase) was 48% of clones related to B. anammoxidans, 4% related to uncultured Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria related to 12%, 8% related to Chlorobi, 24% related to Nitrospira, 4% related to the phylum Chloroflexi. It can be concluded that biomass adhered to LDPE selected anammox microorganisms and Nitrospira positively, and negatively to the filaments related to the Chloroflexi phylum.

O principal objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em avaliar o desempenho de um sistema experimental para pós-tratamento de reatores anaeróbios. Foram testados reator microaerado e reator com aeração intermitente, seguidos de flotação por ar dissolvido. Foram avaliadas condições para se obter nitrificação, desnitrificação e remoção de fósforo, em reator com baixa concentração de OD e em reator em que se alternaram fases aeróbia e anaeróbia. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em duas etapas distintas: a Etapa I constituiu de ensaios preliminares, utilizando instalação em escala de laboratório, alimentados com efluente de reator anaeróbio compartimentado, composta de sistema de aeração com quatro reatores em paralelo, com capacidade de 11,5 L cada, operando em regime hidráulico contínuo, com concentrações de OD na faixa de 0,2 a 0,9 mg/L, em temperatura controlada de 30±2°C. Na Etapa I também foram operados reatores com aeração intermitente. Na Etapa II, empregou-se instalação para tratamento aeróbio, com capacidade de 100 L, seguida de flotador, em temperatura ambiente de 25±6°C, sendo operado um reator microaerado e outro com aeração intermitente; ambos foram alimentados com efluente de um reator anaeróbio de leito expandido. O sistema com aeração intermitente (&#952h: 6 h) mostrou-se estável, apresentando elevada remoção média de DQO (92%), de P-PO4-3 (90%) e de nitrogênio (sem utilização de fonte externa de carbono; apenas com recirculação adequada do lodo). Para &#952h médio de 8 h, nos ensaios com ciclos alternados de 2 h, com aeração e 4 h, sem aeração, foi obtida remoção máxima de P-PO4-3, de 95% para as amostras brutas e 97% para as amostras filtradas, com remoção média de 84%, e 88%, respectivamente. Considerando apenas os valores médios, registrou-se ligeira queda de remoção de P-PO4-3, e de DQO em relação ao período com &#952h médio de 6 h. Os resultados com aeração intermitente foram sensivelmente melhores em relação aos obtidos com microaeração. / The aim of this research the performance evaluation of a pilot system for post treatment of anaerobic reactors. Microaeration and intermittent aeration reactors, followed by dissolved air flotation (DAF) were examined. It was assessed the conditions to obtain nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal, in reactor operated with low concentration of OD and in a reactor operated were alternated aerobic and anaerobic phases were used. The research was developed in two different stages. The first one, constituted of preliminary test, using installation in laboratory scale, fed with effiuent of compartment anaerobic reactor. This system was composed of aeration system with four reactors in parallel, with 11,5 L each, operating in continuous flow, with concentrations of DO between 0.2 to 0.9 mg/L, in controlled temperature of 30±2 ºC. The reactors were also operated with intermittent aeration. In the second stage, an installation with 100L was used for aerobic treatment, followed by DAF, in room temperature of 25±6°C. One reactor was operated under microaeration and another with intermittent aeration. Both were fed with effiuent of an expanded bed anaerobic reactor. The system with intermittent aeration (&#952h: 6 h) shown stable, presenting high COD removal of (92%) and phosphorus removal (90%), without use of external carbon source; just with adapted recirculation of the sludge. For an average hydraulic retention time of 8 h, in the test with alternate cycles of 2 h with aeration and 4 h without aeration, it was obtained a maximum removal of P-PO4-3 equal 95% for the raw samples and 97% for the filtered samples, with average removal of 84%, and 88%, respectively. The results with intermittent aeration were significantely better in relation to the obtained with microaeration.