N2O and NO emissions from a partial nitrification sequencing batch reactor: Exploring dynamics, sources and minimization mechanisms

•We study N2O and NO emissions from a partial nitrification sequencing batch reactor.•N2O emissions decreased when anoxia was imposed, while NO emissions increased.•60–80% of the N2O was produced during settling.•Sufficient aeration for complete ammonia oxidation minimized N2O peak emissions.

A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was enriched with ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in order to treat synthetic reject wastewater (1 g NH4+-N/LNH4+-N/L). Partial nitrification was successfully achieved at a NH4+-NNH4+-N to NO2−-NNO2−-N conversion rate of 98%. The emission dynamics of nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO) were monitored during normal operation and under 3 different cycle configurations. An N2O peak was detected during the first 5 min of the cycle in all cases which corresponded to 60–80% of the total N2O emitted. When anoxic phases were introduced, N2O emissions were minimized but NO increased. Factors affecting the initial N2O peak were studied in a set of individual experiments. It was concluded that most of this N2O originated during settling due to biological reactions. Complete oxidation of NH4+NH4+ (or most likely hydroxylamine) as a result of sufficient aeration time can be a minimization strategy for N2O emissions in partial nitrification systems.