Novel nitrogen removal process via nitrite in a biofilm system and analysis of microbial community dynamics

去除废水中的氮对保护我们独特的水环境至关重要。这种去除通常通过两个步骤实现：硝化作用将铵通过亚硝酸盐转化为硝酸盐；反硝化作用将硝酸盐通过亚硝酸盐再次转化为无害的氮气。该项目将开发一种生物膜反应器系统，使这一过程仅通过亚硝酸盐运行，而不是通过硝酸盐。这样可以节省40%的碳需求和25%的氧气需求。这一过程还没有在受控条件下得到证实，但澳大利亚和韩国的研究小组最近取得的进展，现在为完成这一有希望的过程提供了新的方法。

Nitrogen removal from wastewater is essential to protect our unique aquatic environment. This removal is typically achieved via two steps: Nitrification converts ammonium via nitrite to nitrate; denitrification converts nitrate via nitrite again to harmless nitrogen gas. This project will develop a biofilm reactor system, which enables this process to run via nitrite only, instead of nitrate. Savings of 40% carbon and 25% oxygen requirements are possible this way. This process has not yet been demonstrated under controlled conditions, but recent progress in the research groups in Australia and Korea now offer novel ways to accomplish this promising process.