Future directions in microbial nitrogen cycling in wastewater treatment

Discoveries in the past decade of novel reactions, processes, and micro-organisms have altered our understanding of microbial nitrogen cycling in wastewater treatment systems. These advancements pave the way for a transition toward more sustainable and energy-efficient wastewater treatment systems that also minimize greenhouse gas emissions. This review highlights these innovative directions in microbial nitrogen cycling within the context of wastewater treatment. Processes such as comammox, Feammox, electro-anammox, and nitrous oxide mitigation offer innovative approaches for sustainable, energy-efficient nitrogen removal. However, while these emerging processes show promise, advancing from laboratory research to practical applications, particularly in decentralized systems, remains a critical next step toward a sustainable and efficient wastewater management.