Nitrogen and phosphorus removal by using biofilm supported natural zeolite and peat: Efficiency and mechanism study

Both nitrogen and phosphorus removal from micro-polluted water bodies were investigated by using a biofilm supported natural zeolite and peat system. High system working efficiency was observed with 80% COD_Cr, 95% NH₄⁺-N and 40% TP removal, respectively, while the system was stabilized. Furthermore, the mechanism of contaminants removal was also elucidated, which showed that apart from adsorption and ion exchange, bio-regeneration by microorganisms also played an important role in the system. The service life of those mineral materials was greatly improved compared with the common adsorption system.