Novel microbial nitrogen removal processes

The present-day wastewater treatment practices can be significantly improved through the introduction of new microbial treatment technologies. Recently, several new processes for nitrogen removal have been developed. These new nitrogen removal technologies provide practicable options for treating nitrogen-laden wastewaters. The new processes are based on partial nitrification of ammonium to nitrite combined with anaerobic ammonium oxidation. These processes include the single reactor system for high ammonia removal over nitrite (SHARON) process, which involves part conversion of ammonium to nitrite; the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) process, which involves anaerobic ammonium oxidation; and the completely autographic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process, which involves nitrogen removal within one reactor under oxygen-limited conditions. These new processes target the removal of nitrogen from wastewaters containing significant quantities of ammonium.     

Treatment of landfill leachate using UASB-MBR-SHARON–Anammox configuration

Leachate treatment is a challenging issue due to its high pollutant loads. There are several studies on feasible treatment methods of leachate. In the scope of this study, high organic content of young leachate was eliminated using an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and a membrane bioreactor (MBR) in sequence and effluent of the system was given to single reactor for high activity ammonia removal over nitrite (SHARON) and anaerobic ammonia oxidation (Anammox) reactors to remove nitrogen content. All reactors were set up at lab scale in order to evaluate the usage of these processes in sequencing order for leachate treatment. COD and TKN removal efficiencies were over 90 % in the combined processes which were operated during the study. The biodegradable portion of organic matter was removed with an efficiency of 99 %. BOD₅ concentration decreased to 50 mg/L by UASB and MBR in sequence even the influent BOD₅ concentration was over 8,000 mg/L. Although high nitrogen concentrations were observed in raw leachate, successful removal of nitrogen was accomplished by consecutive operations of SHARON and Anammox reactors. The results of this study demonstrated that with an efficient pretreatment of leachate, the combination of SHARON–Anammox processes is an effective method for the treatment of high nitrogen content in leachate.     

New Aspects of Microbial Nitrogen Transformations in the Context of Wastewater Treatment – A Review

Over the past few years, new technologies for nitrogen removal have been developed mainly because of the increasing financial costs of the traditional wastewater treatment technologies. Newly discovered pathways, like the anaerobic oxidation of ammonium (ANAMMOX), and uses for nitrogen removal technologies are under discussion. Processes and technologies such as: Partial nitrification; Single reactor systems for High Ammonium Removal Over Nitrite (SHARON); Anammox; Aerobic/anoxic deammonification; Oxygen Limited Autotrophic Nitrification‐Denitrification (OLAND); Completely Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal Over Nitrite (CANON); wetland based systems, all have a high potential for nitrogen removal. However, the pathways of nitrogen transformation processes are very complex. An understanding of how various environmental factors affect these processes and a sound knowledge of existing, worldwide experience pertaining to these novel technologies are the key if the nitrogen removal rates are to be improved and success is to be realized in full‐scale applications. This review describes the present knowledge of the new treatment technologies for wastewater with high nitrogen loads. Special emphasis is given to the influence of environmental factors and the reactor configuration on the nitrogen transformation process and microbial activity.     

Collection strategies for quantifying protist assemblages in temperate headwater streams

We aimed at indicating some regularities of a constructed wetland treating agricultural runoff in China. The regularities, including the nitrogen removal capacity all year round, the nitrogen distribution pathways, and the nitrogen species removal kinetics, of a free water surface constructed wetland (2,800 m²) in the Dianchi Valley, which has been in operation for 27 months, were studied. The planted Phragmites australis and Zizania caduciflora were harvested biannually. The average inflow rate was recorded by an ultrasonic flow instrument, and then the hydraulic loading rate (HLR) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) were calculated. The average inflow and outflow concentrations of total nitrogen (TN), ammonia, and nitrate were measured, while the corresponding removal rates were calculated, showing better results than other constructed wetlands. Then the distribution pathways of nitrogen were analyzed, which indicated that plant harvesting was more important in wetland-treated agricultural runoff than in domestic wastewater. The reason for a good nitrogen removal capability and the obvious function of plants in the present wetland is the sound climate and intermittent inflow in the wetland. Results showed that inflow load had significant correction with both TN and ammonia removal efficiency. HLR, inflow rate, inflow nitrogen concentration, and temperature had significant and positive correction with both TN and ammonia removal. However, HRT had negative correction with both TN and ammonia removal, and the nitrate removal efficiency and parameters mentioned earlier were not significantly correlated. The rate constant values for nitrate and ammonia in summer were obviously larger than in winter. It is possible that bacterial and microbial activities were more active in summer than winter, and more conducive to bacterial and vegetative growth in summer than winter. Since this study was a pioneer for the implementation of constructed wetlands in China treating agricultural runoff, it has proved that this eco-technology could be used effectively for water quality enhancement in China and other areas with a similar climate.     

Influence of anthropogenic activities on water quality of a tropical stream ecosystem

Water samples were collected from three sites located in the middle reach of the Njoro River, Kenya, and analysed for total phosphorus (TP), orthophosphate, ammonia‐nitrogen, and nitrate‐nitrogen to evaluate stressor sources (e.g. factories and wastewater ponds) and the general stream water quality. The stream surface water was also analysed for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) to provide an overview of organic matter loading. Mugo, Egerton Bridge and the canning factory sites of the Njoro River had low water quality which is likely to be due to poor farming, partially treated effluents and poor provision of sanitation facilities to the riparian communities. The concentrations of the selected nutrients did not differ significantly among the three sites, presumably due to pollution of the whole stream reach by the catchment nutrient sources. High phosphate concentrations (i.e. ～0.76 mgPO₄ l^?1 and ～0.87 mgTP l^?1) at Canning Factory were recorded during the low flow dry season. Nitrate‐nitrogen concentrations varied significantly with water discharge which explained between 63 and 87% of the nutrient variability in the three sites. BOD₅ differed significantly among the three sites, with historical effects of wastewater and factory effluent discharge being reflected in the results of Egerton Bridge and Canning Factory. The concentrations of ammonia‐nitrogen, TP and orthophosphate were higher in the wastewater than in the river water whereas nitrate‐nitrogen was lower. This study indicates that the Njoro River is stressed by nutrients from the activities within its catchment. With the increasing population, the nutrient load to the river will continue to increase and the water quality will continue to deteriorate. Reductions of nutrient loads into the river as well as provision of sanitation facilities to the riparian communities are needed to control further water degradation.     

Environmental impact assessment of centralized municipal wastewater management in Thailand

Purpose

Urbanization and industrial development intensify water utilization and wastewater generation. The efficiency of wastewater treatment systems varies and depends on system design and wastewater condition. The research aims to examine seven existing centralized municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Bangkok to discover which system configuration yields the best environmental and economic performance. The degree of environmental impact and operational costs from different system designs were investigated to help select future wastewater treatment systems.

Methods

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been conducted to evaluate environmental impacts from centralized municipal wastewater treatment systems. Life cycle impact assessment method based on endpoint modeling (LIME) was applied, with three major potential environmental impact categories including eutrophication, global warming, and acidification. All seven centralized municipal WWTPs in Bangkok were investigated as case studies. The system configurations are classified into five types of activated sludge (AS) systems. The contribution of impacts from individual processes in each type of AS system was analyzed. The methodology covered major on-site and off-site operational processes excluding construction and maintenance phases. Average annual data were calculated to develop an inventory dataset. JEMAI-Pro software was utilized in this study to analyze the life cycle impact of the systems.

Results and discussion

The level of environmental impact from a WWTP depends on the configuration of the AS system. The highest potential environmental impact from a municipal WWTP is eutrophication, which is obviously affected by ammonium and phosphorous discharges into water bodies. The vertical loop reactor activated sludge (VLRAS) system yielded the best treatment performance among the five AS sub-systems. The consumption of electricity used to operate the system contributed significantly to global warming potential and correlated considerably with operating costs. Comparing among three system sizes, the large-scale WWTP revealed inefficient electricity consumption, whereas the medium plant provided better performance in chemical use and operating costs.

Conclusions

Centralized municipal WWTPs with capacities ranging from 10 to 350?×?10³ m³/day were evaluated with respect to environmental performance and costs during the operating phase. Among all case studies, a medium-scale WWTP with a VLRAS system offered the best operating performance in terms of low environmental impact, resource consumption, and cost. To enhance WWTP management, it is vital to improve the efficiency of electricity consumption in primary and secondary treatment processes and increase wastewater collection efficiency to maximize the plant operating capacity and minimize overall environmental impacts.

     

Nitrogen Transformations and Diversity of Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria in a Desert Ephemeral Stream Receiving Untreated Wastewater

Levels of inorganic nitrogen species (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate), ammonia oxidation potential (AOP), and diversity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were studied in the sediments of a 50-km-long segment of an ephemeral stream in the Negev desert, receiving untreated wastewater. Water analysis in downstream sampling points showed reductions of 91.7% in biological oxygen demand, 87.7% in chemical oxygen demand, 73.9% in total nitrogen, and 72.8% in total ammonia nitrogen. Significant AOP levels in the sediment were detected mainly in the fall and spring seasons. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of AOB 16S rRNA gene fragments showed that in most sampling points, the streambed was dominated by Nitrosospira cluster 3 strains similar to those dominating the stream bank’s soils and sediments in nearby springs. Nitrosomonas strains introduced by discharged wastewater and others dominated some sections of the stream characterized by high organic carbon levels. The results suggest that climatic conditions in the Negev desert select for AOB belonging to Nitrosospira cluster 3, and these conditions dominate the aquatic environment effect along most of the stream sections. In addition, the nitrification–denitrification processes were not sufficient to reduce nitrogen levels in the sediment and prevent the eutrophication of some sections of the stream ecosystem. Thus, the discharge of high nitrogen wastewater into desert streams should be done carefully as it may endanger the already fragile ecosystem.     

Post-treatment of fish canning effluents by sequential nitrification and autotrophic denitrification processes

In this research study a nitrifying/autotrophic denitrifying system was used for the post-treatment of an effluent coming from an anaerobic digester treating the wastewater produced in a fish canning industry. The nitrifying reactor achieved 100% of ammonia oxidation into nitrate. The effluent from this unit was fed to the autotrophic denitrifying reactor which treated a maximum sulphide loading rate (SLR) of 200 mg S^2?/L d with removal percentages of 100% and 30% for sulphide and nitrate, respectively. The low nitrate removal efficiency is attributed to sulphide limitations.The operational costs of this system were estimated as 0.92 €/kg N_removed, lower than those for conventional nitrification/denitrification processes. For nitrogen removal the SHARON/anammox processes is the cheapest option. However the combination of nitrification and autotrophic denitrification (using elemental sulphur) processes would present a better operational stability compared to the SHARON/anammox system.     

Characterization of a microalga Chlorella sp. well adapted to highly concentrated municipal wastewater for nutrient removal and biodiesel production

The feasibility of growing Chlorella sp. in the centrate, a highly concentrated municipal wastewater stream generated from activated sludge thickening process, for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy production was tested. The characteristics of algal growth, biodiesel production, wastewater nutrient removal and the viability of scale-up and the stability of continuous operation were examined. Two culture media, namely autoclaved centrate (AC) and raw centrate (RC) were used for comparison. The results showed that by the end of a 14-day batch culture, algae could remove ammonia, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 93.9%, 89.1%, 80.9%, and 90.8%, respectively from raw centrate, and the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content was 11.04% of dry biomass providing a biodiesel yield of 0.12 g-biodiesel/L-algae culture solution. The system could be successfully scaled up, and continuously operated at 50% daily harvesting rate, providing a net biomass productivity of 0.92 g-algae/(L day).     

Ingestion and excretion of nitrogen by larvae of a cabbage armyworm: the effects of fertilizer application

• 1 Insect frass has significant impacts on decomposition and soil nitrogen dynamics. Although the frass contains various forms of nitrogen that may differently influence nitrogen dynamics in the decomposition process, how the nitrogen form in the insect frass is influenced by host plant quality remains poorly understood.
• 2 The present study examined the effects of application of fertilizer on leaf quality of Brassica rapa L. var. perviridis Bailey (Brassicaceae), and on the consumption, frass excretion and frass quality of its insect pest Mamestra brassicae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), with a particular focus on the dynamics of inorganic nitrogen.
• 3 Brassica rapa increased total nitrogen concentration, and accumulated inorganic nitrogen [i.e. leaf nitrate‐nitrogen (NO₃^?‐N) and ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄⁺‐N)] in the leaves in response to the application of fertilizer.
• 4 Although leaf consumption and frass excreted by M. brassicae was not affected by fertilizer treatment, frass quality was influenced by host plant quality as altered by fertilizer applications. Frass contained high concentrations of total nitrogen, NO₃^?‐N, and NH₄⁺‐N under high fertilizer treatment. In particular, the larvae excreted much more NH₄⁺‐N than ingested. The relationship between host plant quality and insect frass quality, as well as the potential implications for decomposition and nutrient dynamics, are discussed.

     

Thiosphaera pantotropha: a sulphur bacterium capable of simultaneous heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification

Thiosphaera pantotropha, a facultative anaerobe is capable of mixotrophic and heterotrophic growth on a wide range of substrates. It can oxidize reduced sulfur compounds, nitrify ammonia heterotrophically to nitrite, and reduce nitrate or nitrite to nitrogen gas irrespective of the ambient dissolved oxygen concentration.¹ The ammonia oxygenase has similarities with that of autotrophic nitrifiers (such as, light sensitivity, Mg²⁺ requirement, and NAD(P)H utilization), so has hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (cytochrome C oxidation, hydrazine inhibition) but there are some differences too (e.g., hydroxylamine inhibition of ammonia oxidation).² It is the denitrifying enzyme system expression and operation under aerobic conditions, however, which is shrouded with controversy. The typical enzyme system of the bacterium throws open interesting possibilities of its applications for wastewater treatment. T. pantotropha has been tested in mixed bacterial cultures in suspended as well as fixed film systems to treat simulated industrial and domestic wastewaters. It has also been used in a flocculating algal-bacterial system to treat synthetic fertilizer wastewater. Fixed film systems have yielded better results. High rates of simultaneous removal of organics and nitrogen have been achieved. This indicates a vast improvement over conventional treatment strategies.     

Biological detoxification of precious metal processing wastewaters

A biological treatment plant is utilized at the Homestake Mine in Lead, SD, to effect detoxification of a daily discharge of 4 million gallons of wastewater. The wastewater matrix requiring treatment contains cyanide, ammonia, toxic heavy metals, and a variable component of toxic chemicals associated with extractive metallurgy and mining operations. Rotating biological contactors (RBCs) are used to attach the biofilm. Cyanides and heavy metals concentrations are reduced by 95–98%. The treated discharge makes up as much as 60% of the total flow in a cold‐water trout fishery. This receiving stream, which remained lifeless for over 100 years as a mine drainage, has now become an established trout fishery and recently yielded a state record trout.     

Effect of carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio on nitrogen removal from shrimp production waste water using sequencing batch reactor

The United States Marine Shrimp Farming Program (USMSFP) introduced a new technology for shrimp farming called recirculating raceway system. This is a zero-water exchange system capable of producing high-density shrimp yields. However, this system produces wastewater characterized by high levels of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate due to 40% protein diet for the shrimp at a high density of 1,000 shrimp per square meter. The high concentrations of nitrate and nitrite (greater than 25 ppm) are toxic to shrimp and cause high mortality. So treatment of this wastewater is imperative in order to make shrimp farming viable. One simple method of treating high-nitrogen wastewater is the use of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). An SBR is a variation of the activated sludge process, which accomplishes many treatment events in a single reactor. Removal of ammonia and nitrate involved nitrification and denitrification reactions by operating the SBR aerobically and anaerobically in sequence. Initial SBR operation successfully removed ammonia, but nitrate concentrations were too high because of carbon limitation in the shrimp production wastewater. An optimization study revealed the optimum carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of 10:1 for successful removal of all nitrogen species from the wastewater. The SBR operated with a C:N ratio of 10:1 with the addition of molasses as carbon source successfully removed 99% of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite from the shrimp aquaculture wastewater within 9 days of operation.     

Aggravated phosphorus limitation on biomass production under increasing nitrogen loading: a meta‐analysis

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), either individually or in combination, have been demonstrated to limit biomass production in terrestrial ecosystems. Field studies have been extensively synthesized to assess global patterns of N impacts on terrestrial ecosystem processes. However, to our knowledge, no synthesis has been done so far to reveal global patterns of P impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, especially under different nitrogen (N) levels. Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis of impacts of P addition, either alone or with N addition, on aboveground (AGB) and belowground biomass production (BGB), plant and soil P concentrations, and N : P ratio in terrestrial ecosystems. Overall, our meta‐analysis quantitatively confirmed existing notions: (i) colimitation of N and P on biomass production and (ii) more P limitation in tropical forest than other ecosystems. More importantly, our analysis revealed new findings: (i) P limitation on biomass production was aggravated by N enrichment and (ii) plant P concentration was a better indicator of P limitation than soil P availability. Specifically, P addition increased AGB and BGB by 34% and 13%, respectively. The effect size of P addition on biomass production was larger in tropical forest than grassland, wetland, and tundra and varied with P fertilizer forms, P addition rates, or experimental durations. The P‐induced increase in biomass production and plant P concentration was larger under elevated than ambient N. Our findings suggest that the global limitation of P on biomass production will become severer under increasing N fertilizer and deposition in the future.     

Impact of ammonia concentration on Spirulina platensis growth in an airlift photobioreactor

Spirulina platensis was cultivated in a bench-scale airlift photobioreactor using synthetic wastewater (total nitrogen 412 mg L(-1), total phosphorous 90 mg L(-1), pH 9-10) with varying ammonia/total nitrogen ratios (50-100% ammonia with balance nitrate) and hydraulic residence times (15-25 d). High average biomass density (3500-3800 mg L(-1)) and productivity (5.1 g m(-2) d(-1)) were achieved when ammonia was maintained at 50% of the total nitrogen. Both high ammonia concentrations and mutual self-shading, which resulted from the high biomass density in the airlift reactor, were found to partially inhibit the growth of S. platensis. The performance of the airlift bioreactor used in this study compared favorably with other published studies. The system has good potential for treatment of high strength wastewater combined with production of algae for biofuels or other products, such as human and animal food, food supplements or pharmaceuticals.     

密度与氮肥对关中灌区夏玉米(Zea mays L.)群体光合生理指标的影响

合理的密度是玉米构建良好群体结构、优化群体光合生理功能的基础,适宜的氮肥施用量是玉米进行光合生产的营养物质保障.运用作物群体生理学的方法,采用二次饱和D试验设计,研究了关中灌区夏玉米密度与氮肥耦合和群体光合生理指标的关系及其效应,明确了在关中灌区夏播条件下,在45000～75000株/hm2的密度范围内,密度与玉米籽粒产量、总干物质积累量(DMA)、吐丝期叶面积指数(MLAI)、总光合势(LAD)、平均作物生长率(CGR)为正相关,在45000～60000株/hm2的密度范围内,密度与玉米叶片平均净同化率(NAR)为正相关,而在60000～75000株/hm2的密度范围内,密度与玉米NAR为负相关;在氮素施用量≤600.0 kg/hm2的范围内,氮素施用量与玉米籽粒产量、DMA、CGR为正相关,在氮素施用量≤260.55 kg/hm2的范围内,氮素施用量与玉米MLAI、LAD为正相关,与玉米NAR为负相关,而在氮素施用量260.55～600.0kg/hm2的范围内,氮素施用量与玉米MLAI、LAD为负相关,与玉米NAR为正相关.密度对其影响较大的指标为:籽粒产量、DMA、LAD、CGR和MLAI , 影响较小的指标为:NAR;氮肥对其影响较大的指标为:DMA、CGR、籽粒产量、NAR,影响较小的指标为:LAD和MLAI .对籽粒产量和群体生理指标的综合影响效应,密度显著大于氮肥,玉米生产中,尤其要重视合理密植.通过对回归模型的解析,筛选确定了陕单8806玉米在关中灌区夏播中,实现高产的密度与氮肥耦合优化技术方案:合理密度为61713～66177株/hm2,适宜纯氮施用量为309.88～569.02kg/hm2.     

Effect of coupled reduced irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on soil mite community composition in a wheat field

Groundwater and nitrogen fertilizer overuse severely threatens crop productions; thus, current ecological agriculture requires low irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer inputs. The effects of combined reduced irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer addition on soil organism (e.g., mite) community and biodiversity remain poorly understood. We analyzed soil mite community composition, wheat grain yield, and soil characteristics in a 10‐year manipulation experiment with two levels of irrigation (reduced and conventional irrigation) and five nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 70, 140, 210, and 280 kg N/ha). Reduced irrigation (20% reduction, from 280 to 220 mm) and nitrogen fertilizer (25% reduction, from 280 to 210 kg N/ha) addition did not significantly influence soil mite community and wheat yield. The relative abundances of fungivores and predators showed negative quadratic relationships with wheat yield, while that of plant parasites showed a positive relationship. The relationships between soil mite trophic groups and wheat yield revealed that we can evaluate the impacts of reduced irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer addition from the perspective of soil fauna. Soil mite community composition was altered by soil abiotic factors prior to reduced irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer addition. Overall, moderate reductions of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer may not threaten to soil mite community and diversity or decrease crop production; in contrast, such reductions will benefit mite community development and the sustainable agriculture.     

Comparison of constructed reed beds with different filter media and macrophytes treating urban stream water contaminated with lead and copper

The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment efficiency of passive vertical-flow constructed wetland filters containing different macrophytes (Phragmites and/or Typha) and granular media with different adsorption capacities. Different concentrations of lead and copper sulphate were added to the polluted urban stream inflow water to simulate pre-treated mine wastewater. A fertilizer was added to one filter only. The relationships between growth media and plant communities as well as the reduction of predominantly lead and copper were investigated. Lead, copper and 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) concentrations were reduced similarly for all the wetlands. An analysis of variance showed that the concentration reductions (mg/l) of lead, copper and BOD were significantly similar for the six experimental wetlands. There appears to be no additional benefit in using expensive adsorption media like granular activated carbon to enhance biomass performance during the first 10 months of operation.     

高效净水异养硝化细菌的筛选鉴定及固定化应用研究

本研究从海参养殖水体、泥土中筛选出4株具有硝化能力的异养硝化细菌。分别将其游离菌体细胞投入海参养殖水体,测定亚硝态氮、氨氮去除率,筛选出HS．NOB2为高效净化菌株,对HS-NOB2进行16SrDNA扩增及序列测定,初步鉴定为节杆菌（Arthrobactersp．）。利用海藻酸钠包埋法对高效净化菌体细胞进行固定化,将该固定化菌投入养殖水体及人工合成污水,研究其对水体中亚硝态氮、氨氮的处理效果,并与游离菌体细胞进行比较。结果表明,固定化后亚硝态氮去除率达到49．85％,氨氮去除率达到56．58％,均明显高于游离菌体细胞。上述研究为探寻水体净化提供了新思路,为水质改良剂的实际生产提供可选菌株。     

Effects of High Nutrient Supply on the Growth of Seven Bamboo Species

Over the last decade, bamboo has emerged as an interesting plant for the treatment of various polluted waters using plant-based wastewater treatment systems. In these systems, nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations in wastewater can exceed plant requirements and potentially limit plant growth. The effects of two nutrient rates on the growth of seven bamboo species were assessed in a one-year experiment: Dendrocalamus strictus, Thyrsostachys siamensis, Bambusa tuldoides, Gigantochloa wrayi, Bambusa oldhamii, Bambusa multiplex and Bambusa vulgaris. Nutrient rates were applied with a 20:20:20 NPK fertilizer as 2.6 and 13.2 t.ha.yr^?1NPK to three-year-old bamboo planted in 70 L containers. Morphological characters, photosynthetic responses, and NPK content in bamboo tissues were investigated. Under high-nutrient supply rate, the main trend observed was an increase of culm production but the culms’ diameters were reduced. For the seven species, the aboveground biomass yield tended to increase with high-nutrient rate. Increasing in nutrient rates also improved the photosynthetic activity which is consistent with the increase of nitrogen and phosphorus contents measured in plant tissues. All the bamboo species tested appears suitable for wastewater treatment purposes, but the species Bambusa oldhamii and Gigantochloa wrayi showed the higher biomass yield and nutrient removal.