The biological denitrifying sulfide reaction (DSR) frequently proceeds in anaerobic environments since excess oxygen inhibits the activity of the denitrifiers. This study isolated a consortium H7, comprising two strains, Penibacillus sp. and Aneurinibacillus aneurinilyticus. It indicated that the DSR performance with the H7 in a mixotrophic medium is significantly enhanced at high sulfide concentrations. The H7 was inhibited by adding >200 mg l(-1) of S2- under anaerobic conditions. However, when 280 mg(-1) of S2- was added, H7 could still degrade some of the sulfide, nitrate and acetate under micro-aerobic conditions. Micro-aerobic conditions stimulated the activity of sulfide oxidase and increased the removal rate of highly concentrated sulfide, reducing the inhibition of sulfide on denitrifiers and improving DSR performance. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.