Anammox - anaerobic oxidation of ammonium contamination in groundwater

化粪池污水、粪便库存和肥料对地下水的铵和硝酸盐污染是对农村流域水质最普遍和最持久的威胁。然而，通过向N2的转化，两者都是良性的。这是通过厌氧氨氧化实现的，通过厌氧氨氧化菌的活性介导。这个重要的反应在大约15年前才被发现，现在被认为是海洋、废水和土壤中全球氮循环的关键一步。我们的初步工作表明，这种反应也发生在地下水中。我们的目标是确定这一重要反应途径在氨污染地下水中的发生情况，确定厌氧氨氧化反应相关的同位素分馏效应用于其检测，并开发方法来刺激该反应用于地下水的原位修复。

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.