A critical review on microbial ecology in the novel biological nitrogen removal process: Dynamic balance of complex functional microbes for nitrogen removal

The novel biological nitrogen removal process has been extensively studied for its high nitrogen removal efficiency, energy efficiency, and greenness. A successful novel biological nitrogen removal process has a stable microecological equilibrium and benign interactions between the various functional bacteria. However, changes in the external envi-ronment can easily disrupt the dynamic balance of the microecology and affect the activity of functional bacteria in the novel biological nitrogen removal process. Therefore, this review focuses on the microecology in existing the novel bi-ological nitrogen removal process, including the growth characteristics of functional microorganisms and their inter-actions, together with the effects of different influencing factors on the evolution of microbial communities. This provides ideas for achieving a stable dynamic balance of the microecology in a novel biological nitrogen removal pro-cess. Furthermore, to investigate deeply the mechanisms of microbial interactions in novel biological nitrogen removal process, this review also focuses on the influence of quorum sensing (QS) systems on nitrogen removal microbes, reg-ulated by which bacteria secrete acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) as signaling molecules to regulate microbial ecology in the novel biological nitrogen removal process. However, the mechanisms of action of AHLs on the regulation of functional bacteria have not been fully determined and the composition of QS system circuits requires further investi-gation. Meanwhile, it is necessary to further apply molecular analysis techniques and the theory of systems ecology in the future to enhance the exploration of microbial species and ecological niches, providing a deeper scientific basis for the development of a novel biological nitrogen removal process.

Automated summary

This review focuses on the microecology in the existing novel biological nitrogen removal process, including the growth characteristics and interactions of functional microorganisms, as well as the effects of different influencing factors on microbial communities evolution. It also explores the influence of quorum sensing (QS) systems on nitrogen removal microbes and proposes the need for further investigation into the mechanisms of action and composition of QS system circuits. Molecular analysis techniques and systems ecology theory are suggested for future exploration of microbial species and ecological niches to enhance the development of the novel biological nitrogen removal process.