Ammonium exchange and bioregeneration of bio-flocculated zeolite in a sequencing batch reactor

Natural zeolite was added to the sequencing batch reactors to assess its ro le in ammonium exchange. Even though the biofilm was fully developed on the zeolite surface, ammonium removal and the biological regeneration of the z eolite occurred constantly during the anoxic-fill phase and the reaction ph ase, respectively. However, the specific nitrification rate of the bio-floc culated zeolite was lower than that observed in the control on account of t he limited ammonium release to the liquid phase.