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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
08:05
Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
Published on: October 7, 2020
Nitrification and me - a subjective review.
1Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag, 8600 Dubendorf, Switzerland. gujer@eawag.ch
Water Research
|October 6, 2009
Summary
Nitrification processes were foundational for developing wastewater treatment models and understanding microbial behavior in environmental engineering. This microbial process was extensively studied before advanced genetic techniques became available.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Microbiology
- Wastewater Treatment
Background:
- Nitrification is crucial for protecting receiving waters.
- It provided a model system for studying microbial consortia on defined substrates.
- Historically, it was the most studied microbial process in environmental engineering prior to genetic techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the historical significance of nitrification processes.
- To highlight its role in the development of wastewater treatment models.
- To explain its importance as a model microbial system.
Main Methods:
- Subjective experience and historical review.
- Analysis of nitrification's role in activated sludge and biofilm reactors.
- Examination of its contribution to understanding self-purification in rivers.
Main Results:
- Nitrification processes formed the basis for current wastewater treatment models.
- It facilitated understanding of microbial behavior under specific environmental conditions.
- Nitrification was a key focus in environmental engineering research.
Conclusions:
- Nitrification's study was pivotal for advancing wastewater treatment and environmental microbiology.
- It served as a critical model system for understanding microbial ecology.
- Its historical importance underpins much of modern environmental engineering.
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