LAUSR

Anammox as a novel biological process in natural nitrogen cycle has been introduced into wastewater treatment process. However, the regulation mechanism of anammox metabolism remained to be investigated. In this study, the specific quorum sensing (QS) signaling molecules for mediating anammox were identified in anammox activity tests. Anammox was valve-regulated by the collaboration of QS signaling molecules N-butyryl-homoserine lactone (C14-HSL) and N-(3-oxotetradecanoyl)-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C14-HSL), and prompted with the C14-HSL/3-oxo-C14-HSL mole ratio above 1.0. Moreover, the ratio of chemical oxygen demand to total nitrogen (C/N) was identified as an effective regulator for the distribution of C14-HSL and 3-oxo-C14-HSL. An engineering method for control anammox through regulating C/N ratio was proposed and demonstrated based on the performance of two microaerobic reactors treating piggery wastewater and anammox activity tests. The discovery should be of great significance to understanding the social behaviors of anammox bacteria in organic wastewater treatment processes.