Anammox - anaerobic oxidation of ammonium contamination in groundwater

铵和硝酸盐污染的地下水，从化粪池废水，粪肥库存，化肥是最普遍和持久的威胁，在农村流域的水质。然而，通过转化为N2，两者都变得良性。这是通过厌氧氨氧化来实现的，通过厌氧氨氧化细菌的活性介导。这个重要的反应是在大约15年前才发现的，现在被认为是海洋、废水和土壤中全球氮循环的关键步骤。我们的初步工作表明，这种反应也发生在地下水中。我们的目标是确定发生在铵污染的地下水中的这一重要的反应途径，确定与厌氧氨氧化反应的检测同位素分馏效应，并开发方法来刺激地下水原位修复的反应。

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.