Publication detail

Denitrification assays for testing effects of xenobiotics on aquatic denitrification and their degradation in aquatic environments

Pániková, K. Weigelhofer, G. Bílková, Z. Malá, J.

Original Title

Denitrification assays for testing effects of xenobiotics on aquatic denitrification and their degradation in aquatic environments

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

We developed, tested, and optimized two laboratory denitrification assays for both managers and scientists to assess the effects of xenobiotics on the denitrification process over 7 days (short batch assay, SBA) and 28 days (long semi-continuous assay, LSA). The assays facilitate (1) measuring the efficiency of nitrate removal under the influence of xenobiotics, (2) determining the removal of the tested xenobiotics via adsorption or biotic decomposition, and (3) testing the influencing parameters for optimizing the denitrification process. The adsorption of the xenobiotics was assessed by inhibiting all biological processes through the addition of HgCl2. Our tests demonstrate that the ratio of the initial nitrate concentration to the amount of bioavailable organic matter provided is essential to avoid organic carbon or nitrate limitation. While a pH less than 7 resulted in decreased denitrification, a pH more than 8 let to nitrite accumulation, indicating incomplete denitrification. Over durations of more than a week, weekly replenishments of the nitrate and HgCl2 and weekly purging with argon gas to reduce the oxygen concentrations are needed. The assays provide information about the accumulation of xenobiotics in the bioreactors that is necessary for the environmentally friendly treatment of the bioreactor fillings and provide insight into the potential of the bioreactors to remove pesticides from polluted water resources.

Keywords

denitrification; xenobiotics; batch assays; method testing; removal efficiency; metolachlor

Authors

Pániková, K.; Weigelhofer, G.; Bílková, Z.; Malá, J.

Released

11. 7. 2023

Publisher

MDPI

ISBN

2073-4441

Periodical

Water

Year of study

15

Number

14

State

Swiss Confederation

Pages count

13

URL

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/14/2536

Full text in the Digital Library

http://hdl.handle.net/11012/244999

BibTex

@article{BUT184193,
  author="Kristína {Pastorek Pániková} and Gabriele {Weigelhofer} and Zuzana {Bílková} and Jitka {Malá}",
  title="Denitrification assays for testing effects of xenobiotics on aquatic denitrification and their degradation in aquatic environments",
  journal="Water",
  year="2023",
  volume="15",
  number="14",
  pages="13",
  doi="10.3390/w15142536",
  issn="2073-4441",
  url="https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/14/2536"
}