Heterotrophic denitrification for the simultaneous reduction of nitrates using acorn cups as an energy source

Nitrates are widely present in aquatic ecosystems, which poses a threat to both environment, and human health. Heterotrophic denitrification by plant biomaterials is considered an effective method of treating water containing nitrate. This study aims to examine the mechanisms and factors influencing heterotrophic denitrification, using a plant biomaterial as a source of organic carbon (acorn cups) for denitrifying bacteria. The results of this work show the characteristic properties of the material (acorn cups), its effectiveness in supporting bacterial denitrification water, and its remarkable physical stability. The results of analyses carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic absorption spectroscopy (SAA) and X-ray fluorescence showed a high availability of carbon and trace elements, which is a nutritional boon for denitrifying bacteria. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows the structure rich in pores, thus promoting the fixation of microorganisms. This cost-effective biomaterial, often considered a co-product, is essential to ensure an effective denitrification, offering a nitrate removal percentage of 92.31 % at a neutral pH and a maximum percentage of 99.73 % when the biomass concentration is high. Based on these results, it can be concluded that acorn cups are an exceptional biomaterial, effective with respect to economic, technical and ecological aspects, making them a cost-effective solution for biological denitrification.