Anammox - anaerobic oxidation of ammonium contamination in groundwater

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Ammonium and nitrate contamination of groundwaters from septic field effluents, manure stockpiles, and fertilizers represents the most ubiquitous and persistent threat to water quality in rural watersheds. However, through transformation to N2 both are rendered benign. This is achieved by anaerobic ammonium oxidation, mediated though the activity of anammox bacteria. This important reaction was discovered only some fifteen years ago and is now recognized as a critical step in the global nitrogen cycle in the oceans, wastewaters and soils. Our preliminary work suggests that this reaction also occurs in groundwaters. Our objectives are to determine the occurrence of this important reaction pathway in ammonium-contaminated groundwaters, determine the isotope fractionation effects associated with the anammox reaction for its detection, and develop methods to stimulate the reaction for in-situ remediation of groundwaters.