The differences in the physiological characteristics between AOB and ANAMMOX bacteria lead to suboptimal performance when used in a single reactor. In this study, aerobic and anaerobic zones with different survival environments were constructed in a single reactor to realize partitioned culture of AOB and ANAMMOX bacteria. An external air-lift reflux system was formed which used the exhaust from the aeration zone as power to return the effluent to the aeration zone. The reflux system effectively alleviated the large pH fluctuations and promoted NO2-N to rapidly use by ANAMMOX bacteria, effectively inhibiting the activity of NOB. After 95 d of running, the nitrogen removal rate increased from the initial 0.21 kg/ (m(3).d) to 3.1 kg/(m(3).d). FISH analyses further demonstrated that AOB and ANAMMOX bacteria acquired efficient enrichment in the corresponding zone. Thus, this type of integrative reactor may create the environments needed for the partial nitritation-ANAMMOX processing. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.