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Related Concept Videos

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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Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

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Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
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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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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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Bioremediation00:46

Bioremediation

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Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Author Spotlight: Scaling Microalgal Biotechnology for Enhanced Biomethane Production
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Author Spotlight: Scaling Microalgal Biotechnology for Enhanced Biomethane Production

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Biogas-driven complete nitrogen removal from wastewater generated in side-stream partial nitritation.

Tao Liu1, Zhuan Khai Lim1, Hui Chen1

  • 1Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.

The Science of the Total Environment
|August 1, 2020
PubMed
Summary

This study shows that membrane biofilm reactors can effectively remove nitrogen from wastewater using biogas produced on-site. This method achieves high nitrogen removal rates and reduces the need for external carbon sources.

Keywords:
AnammoxBiogasMembrane biofilm reactor (MBfR)Nitrite/nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-DAMO)Partial nitritationSide-stream

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Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
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Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
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Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Microbiology
  • Wastewater Treatment

Background:

  • Anaerobic digestion in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) reduces sludge and recovers energy.
  • High-strength anaerobic digestion liquor contains high nitrogen concentrations.
  • Biogas produced contains methane and carbon dioxide.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the feasibility of using in-situ biogas for nitrogen removal from partially nitrified anaerobic digestion liquor.
  • To investigate the performance of a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) coupled with anaerobic methane oxidation (n-DAMO) and anammox microorganisms.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) with synthetic biogas and partially nitrified anaerobic digestion liquor.
  • Employed nitrite- or nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-DAMO) and anammox microbial communities.
  • Implemented strategies for pH control, including intermittent alkali dosing and nitrogen gas flushing.

Main Results:

  • Achieved nearly complete nitrogen removal (~99%) with a high removal rate (>1 kg N/m³/d).
  • Observed pH drop due to CO2 from biogas, managed by developed pH control strategies.
  • Confirmed joint contribution of anammox bacteria and anaerobic methane oxidizers to nitrogen removal via mass balance and microbial analysis.

Conclusions:

  • MBfR demonstrates significant potential for complete nitrogen removal from high-strength wastewater using in-situ biogas.
  • This approach can substantially decrease the requirement for external carbon addition in practical applications.
  • The study validates the coupled n-DAMO and anammox process within an MBfR for efficient nitrogen management.