Autotrophic denitrification (AuDen) is an efficient, convenient and eco-friendly biological process for the treatment of nitrate-contaminated organic-deficient waters. AuDen can be applied as a unique process or complement the conventional denitrification with organics, reducing the risk of organic carbon breakthrough in the effluent and formation of undesirable byproducts downstream (e.g. trihalomethanes). A wide range of inorganic compounds can act as electron donors for AuDen. The most used electron donors include hydrogen gas and reduced sulfur compounds, i.e. elemental sulfur, sulfide and thiosulfate. Recently, the denitrification potential of certain contaminants (such as sulfite, thiocyanate, arsenite and manganese) and inorganic wastes (such as biogenic elemental sulfur from biogas upgrading) has been revealed and attracted interest for developing technologies that combine nitrate removal with water detoxification. This paper critically reviews the state of the art of the most used electron donors for AuDen and highlights recent advances on the application of novel inorganic compounds, reactor configurations and microorganisms to support denitrification. Criteria and guidelines for the selection of a suitable electron donor are provided.

自养反硝化（AuDen）是一种高效，便捷且环保的生物工艺，用于处理被硝酸盐污染的有机不足水。AuDen可以作为一种独特的工艺来应用，也可以与传统的有机反硝化工艺互补，从而降低有机碳在废水中突破的风险以及下游形成不良副产物（例如三卤甲烷）的风险。各种各样的无机化合物可以作为AuDen的电子给体。最常用的电子给体包括氢气和还原的硫化合物，即元素硫，硫化物和硫代硫酸盐。最近，某些污染物（例如亚硫酸盐，硫氰酸盐，砷和锰）以及无机废物（例如沼气提纯产生的生物元素硫）已被发现，并吸引了开发将硝酸盐去除与水排毒相结合的技术的兴趣。本文批判性地回顾了AuDen最常用的电子供体的技术现状，并重点介绍了在应用新型无机化合物，反应器配置和微生物来支持反硝化方面的最新进展。提供了选择合适的电子供体的标准和指南。反应器配置和微生物以支持反硝化作用。提供了选择合适的电子供体的标准和指南。反应器配置和微生物以支持反硝化作用。提供了选择合适的电子供体的标准和指南。