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Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

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Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of  ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or  nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this...
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2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO201:20

2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2

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Secondary amines react with nitrous acid to form N-nitrosamines, as depicted in Figure 1. Nitrous acid, a weak and unstable acid, is formed in situ from an aqueous solution of sodium nitrite and strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, in cold conditions. In the presence of an acid, the nitrous acid gets protonated. The subsequent loss of water results in the formation of the electrophile known as nitrosonium ion.
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Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

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Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme...
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Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs01:15

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

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Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.
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1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview01:26

1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview

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Nitrous acid and nitric acids are two types of acids containing nitrogen, among which nitrous acid is weaker than nitric acid. Nitrous acid with a pKa value of 3.37 ionizes in water to give a nitrite ion and the hydronium ion.
The nitrous acid is unstable. Hence, it is formed in situ from a solution of sodium nitrite and cold aqueous acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. In an acidic solution, the –OH group of nitrous acid undergoes protonation to give oxonium ion, followed by...
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The Nitrogen Cycle01:49

The Nitrogen Cycle

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Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
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Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
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Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

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Nitrous oxide emission in autotrophic partial nitritation system: Macro- and microanalyses.

Kai Ju1, Lei Wang1, Yongtao Lv1

  • 1School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, No. 13 Yanta Road, Xi'an 710055, China.

Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering
|March 21, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is emitted during autotrophic partial nitritation, primarily from sludge flocs. The settling phase significantly contributes to the initial N2O emission peak in wastewater treatment.

Keywords:
Ammonia-oxidizing bacteriaMicroelectrodeNitrous oxidePartial nitritationSequencing batch reactor

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Wastewater treatment processes can emit greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide (N2O).
  • Autotrophic partial nitritation is a key process in nitrogen removal from wastewater.
  • Understanding N2O emission sources is crucial for mitigating environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate N2O emission characteristics during autotrophic partial nitritation.
  • To analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of N2O production within sludge flocs.
  • To identify factors contributing to N2O generation in a lab-scale reactor.

Main Methods:

  • Operation of a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor with synthetic high-ammonium wastewater.
  • Macroanalysis of N2O emission quantity and off-gas concentration.
  • Microanalysis using microelectrodes to study nitrogen distribution and consumption within sludge flocs.

Main Results:

  • N2O emission was 5.98 ± 1.24 mg, representing 0.997% of influent nitrogen.
  • Off-gas N2O peaked at 91.5 ppmv initially, then stabilized around 34.8 ppmv.
  • An asymptotic function accurately estimated N2O emissions (R² = 0.997).
  • N2O production was concentrated in the floc surface layer during aeration.
  • Higher N2O production rates were observed during the settling phase.

Conclusions:

  • N2O is a byproduct of autotrophic partial nitritation, generated within sludge flocs.
  • The settling phase plays a significant role in the initial N2O emission peak.
  • Microscale analysis provides insights into N2O formation mechanisms in wastewater treatment.