Using combined multiple techniques to characterize refractory organics during anammox process with mature coal chemical wastewater as influent

Abstract

This study combined spectroscopy techniques to assess the composition of refractory organics and highlighted the potential application of excitation–emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy within future monitoring of coal chemical wastewater treatment by the anammox process. The results showed that the anammox process could effectively degrade refractory organic substances, with fulvic-like, UV-humic acid, and Vis-humic acid component removal efficiencies of 43.61, 53.93, and 100%, respectively. In this study, EEM fluorescence spectroscopy was proven to be an effective method of assessing the removal of dissolved organic nitrogen during anammox treatment of mature coal chemical wastewater. Furthermore, remarkable accumulation (9.3–16.2%) of Ca. Kuenenia occurred in the anammox granules that underwent long-term cultivation in mature coal chemical wastewater, which provided the high nitrogen removal rate. The abundance of Anaerolineaceae and Bacteroides was vital in refractory organic degradation.