High-rate NH3-N and TN removal is achieved with a novel NUA–DAS biofilter.
The AOB and NOB community structures in DAS are time dependent.
The NOB community structures of both media are stable despite depth variation.
Nitrosomonas, Nitrosovibrio and Nitrobacter are the dominant genera in substrate.
The AOB and NOB activities from DAS are negatively correlated with Eff. NO3-N.