Simultaneous removal of nitrate and heavy metals in a biofilm reactor filled with modified biochar

A biofilm reactor filled with chia seeds gum modified biochar was set up for the simultaneous removal of nitrate, cadmium and zinc from calcium-containing wastewater via denitrification and microbially-induced (calcium) carbonate precipitation. The reactor performance was studied under different conditions of pH, Cd concentration, and hydraulic retention time. The optimal removal efficiency of the reactor for NO3−-N, Ca2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ were 99.98, 79.89, 100, and 99.84 %, respectively. 3D-EEM indicated the aromatic compounds confirming the stability of the reactor. FTIR illustrated the presence of -OH, CaCO3, C-O-C, and C-O-H indicating the precipitation and role of gum in MICP. SEM confirmed that the seed crystal induced the repeated crystallization of free metal ions. XRD showed that heavy metals were removed in the form of CaCO3, CdCO3, ZnCO3, Ca3(PO3)2, Cd3(PO3)2, and Zn3(PO3)2 co-crystallization. SEM-EDS showed the composition and distribution of elements. High-throughput sequencing showed that Curpriavidus sp. GMF1 and Ochrobactrum sp. GMC12 were the dominant bacterial species, with powerful denitrification and MICP mineralization capabilities. [Display omitted] •Nitrate, calcium and heavy metals were simultaneously removed in a biofilm reactor.•Chia seed gum enhances material for heavy metals removal and bacterial attachment.•The reactor conditions of HRT, pH, and initial cadmium concentration were optimized.•The heavy metals were removed by MICP in the form of carbonates and phosphates.•Curpriavidus sp. GMF1 and Ochrobactrum sp. GMC12 were dominant genera in reactor.