Anoxic microbial transformation

Research group Dr. Chang Ding

Research focus

Our research focuses on anoxic microbial transformations in technical systems, targeting a combination of process engineering and molecular approaches. Studied technical systems include classic wastewater treatment plants and newly designed systems of wastewater technology and bioreactors. The goal is to provide solutions to efficient and effective removal of contaminants in such systems. Our research is divided into projects that aim at the energy-efficient removal of fixed nitrogen from wastewater and those that aim to remove pollutants from surface water, groundwater or wastewater.

Specifically, we work on the oxygen-free oxidation of ammonium from wastewater on technology readiness level (TRL) 2-5. Such processes are carried out by anammox bacteria as well as other novel bacteria in the nitrogen cycle. By looking into the molecular background of such processes, we strive to make the nitrogen removal process more stable, faster and more controllable. Apart from the centralized wastewater treatment, anoxic transformation of contaminants in natural and near-natural systems (e.g. hyporheic zone in receiving waters, bank filtration of surface water) is also examined. The basic principles of microbial transformation in anoxic redox gradients are often similar in technical and near-natural systems.

Another emerging issue of modern wastewater treatment is the occurrence of persistent and mobile organic compounds (PMOCs) that readily escape the common wastewater treatment process and enter the environment. To understand the fate of such compounds, we develop proteomics-based approaches to rapidly identify key organisms and unveil interactions between proteins and compounds of interests. Current compounds of interests include the widely used antibiotic sulfamethoxazole and the artifical sweetener acesulfame. We also apply digitally controlled reactors to cultivate microorganisms that specifically remove such contaminants. Several highly customized continuous reactors cultivating various anaerobic bacteria are in operation and under continuous improvement since 2016.

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
Department Environmental Biotechnology
Permoserstraße 15 | 04318 Leipzig | Germany