Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Experimental Column Setup for Studying Anaerobic Biogeochemical Interactions Between Iron OxyHydroxides, Trace Elements, and Bacteria
Published on: December 19, 2017
Microbially mediated iron redox processes for carbon and nitrogen removal from wastewater: Recent advances
Qing Xia1, Qingzhen Qiu1, Jun Cheng1
1Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hainan University, 58 Renmin Avenue, Meilan District, Haikou 570228, China.
Abstract:
Iron is the most abundant redox-active metal on Earth. The microbially mediated iron redox processes, including dissimilatory iron reduction (DIR), ammonium oxidation coupled with Fe(III) reduction (Feammox), Fe(III) dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane (Fe(III)-AOM), nitrate-reducing Fe(II) oxidation (NDFO), and Fe(II) dependent dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (Fe(II)-DNRA), play important parts in carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycling globally. In this review, the reaction mechanisms, electron transfer pathways, functional microorganisms, and characteristics of these processes are summarized; the prospective applications for carbon and nitrogen removal from wastewater are reviewed and discussed; and the research gaps and future directions of these processes for the treatment of wastewater are also underlined. This review is expected to give new insights into the development of economic and environmentally friendly iron-based wastewater treatment procedures.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Nutrition
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
Bioremediation
Redox Reactions
Anoxygenic Photosynthesis

