Enhanced phosphorus removal by microbial-collaborating sponge iron.

The collaborative and mutually reinforcing phosphorus removal in domestic wastewater in a sponge iron and microorganisms system was studied through a laboratory and a pilot scale experiment. The results showed that the total phosphorus concentration of the effluent of less than 0.5 mg/L could be achieved. The results also support that the biochemical reaction accelerated the iron electrochemical corrosion. As a driving force, iron bacteria strengthened the chemical oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III). The chemical precipitation of Fe(III) is the main form of phosphorus removal. In addition, there exists adsorption phosphorus removal by phosphate-accumulating organisms. The mechanism of the enhanced phosphorus removal by microbial-collaborating sponge iron was thus proposed.