maintained by a thermostat.

The influent used is the natural ground water of Pulchowk

Campus which contains Ammonical-N. The Ammonical-N is to be oxidized to Nitrate-
N by dripping nitrification system located at the Girl’s Hostel of IOE (Institute of
Engineering), Pulchowk.

3.3 Inoculation of Microorganisms

The cultures were prepared from sludge obtained from Jwagal Water Treatment Plant.
The cultures were fed synthetic media consisting of tap water containing 5g/l
Na2S2O3.5H2O, 2g/l K2HPO4, 2g/l KNO3, 1g/l NaHCO3, 0.5g/l NH4Cl, 0.5g/l
MgCl2.6H2O, 0.01g/l FeSO4.7H2O and 1ml trace metal solution. The trace metal
solution had following composition(g/l): MgO, 10.75; FeSO4.7H2O, 38; CaCO3, 2;
ZnSO4.7H2O, 1.44; MnSO4.4 H2O, 1.12; CuSO4.5H2O, 0.25; concentrated HC1, 51.3
ml. (Baldensperger & Garcia, 1975). The synthetic media was fed till the removal of
nitrate was observed.

3.4 Sampling

The influent and effluent water samples were collected every second day to monitor the
overall performance. Approximately 100ml of water sample was collected from the
reactor. If the samples were not tested immediately, they were stored at 4°C.

3.5 Physicochemical Analysis

3.5.1 Nitrate-Nitrogen (mg NO3 -N/l)

Nitrate-nitrogen was determined by the ultraviolet spectrophotometer screening method

(Method 4500NO3-B, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater,
1998) with a range of 0-5mg NO3--N /l using Shimadzu UV Visible Spectrophotometer
UV mini-1240.

3.5.2 Nitrite-Nitrogen (mg NO2-N/l)

Nitrite-nitrogen was determined by colorimetric method (Method 4500NO2-B, Standard

Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 1998) with a range of 0-0.5mg
NO2-N /l using Shimadzu UV Visible Spectrophotometer UV mini-1240.

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