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Updated: May 12, 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
Nitrogen removal with the anaerobic ammonium oxidation process
Ziye Hu1, Tommaso Lotti, Mark van Loosdrecht
1Department of Microbiology, IWWR, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Biotechnology Letters
|April 2, 2013
Summary
Anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) bacteria offer a sustainable method for nitrogen removal. This review explores new applications for anammox technology in wastewater treatment beyond high ammonium loads.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Wastewater Treatment Engineering
Background:
- Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) converts ammonium to N2 anaerobically.
- Nitritation-anammox bioreactors are cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives to conventional nitrogen removal.
- Current applications are limited to high ammonium load and temperature wastewater.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state-of-the-art of nitritation-anammox systems.
- To discuss novel applications of anammox technology in wastewater treatment.
- To explore the potential of anammox for municipal wastewater and removal of methane, nitrate, and nitrogen oxides.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advancements in nitritation-anammox technology.
- Analysis of laboratory-scale bioreactor results for new application routes.
- Synthesis of findings to assess potential for broader wastewater treatment implementation.
Main Results:
- Anammox bacteria can be applied to municipal wastewater treatment.
- Potential for simultaneous removal of methane and nitrite.
- Anammox can be coupled with organic acid oxidation for nitrate removal.
- Application in nitrogen oxides removal is also suggested.
Conclusions:
- Nitritation-anammox technology shows promise for expanded applications in wastewater treatment.
- Further research can optimize anammox systems for diverse waste streams.
- Anammox offers a sustainable solution for various nitrogen removal challenges.
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