Estratégias para o enriquecimento de bactérias Anammox no tratamento de efluentes nitrogenados: uma revisão crítica

Abstract

The growing demand for efficient nitrogen removal from wastewater has increased interest in the Anammox process, an autotrophic biological pathway with high potential for application in sustainable treatment systems. This study aimed to systematize and critically analyze biomass enrichment strategies for Anammox in reactors of various configurations and scales. The methodology involved a systematic review of 25 scientific articles selected from the Web of Science and CAPES Journals platforms, addressing variables such as inoculum type, operational conditions (temperature, pH, hydraulic retention time, dissolved oxygen, and nitrogen loading rate), and use of support materials. The results indicate that inoculation success is directly linked to inoculum selection and strict control of operational parameters. Strategies such as layered inoculation, the use of materials like activated carbon and zeolites, and intermittent aeration showed high potential to accelerate startup and enhance process stability. However, significant gaps were identified in inoculum microbiological characterization and performance metric standardization. It is concluded that the integration of biomass selection, reactor design, and microbial monitoring is essential to consolidate the Anammox process in real-scale applications.