Nitrogen Removal in Wastewater

Nitrogen is a common component of wastewater, and it can be removed through a variety of processes. The most common method is biological nitrification and denitrification, which involves the oxidation of ammonia to nitrate, followed by the reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas.

Questions

• What are the two main forms of nitrogen found in wastewater?
• How is ammonia oxidized to nitrate?
• How is nitrate reduced to nitrogen gas?

Answers

• The two main forms of nitrogen found in wastewater are organic nitrogen and ammonia.
• Ammonia is oxidized to nitrate by a process called nitrification. This process is carried out by bacteria that use oxygen as an electron acceptor.
• Nitrate is reduced to nitrogen gas by a process called denitrification. This process is carried out by bacteria that use nitrate as an electron acceptor.