Microbial Nitrogen Transformation and Recovery in Wastewater: Current Strategies and Applications

Abstract

Although nitrogen fixation is essential for the continuation of life, excessive reactive nitrogen in surface and constructed water bodies as a consequence of limited tertiary wastewater treatment practices potentially harms the environment. At present, the majority of wastewater treatment units depend on various chemical approaches for the ready removal of reactive nitrogen species. However, because of both environmental and economic advantages, a significant shift towards the application of biological methods involving a specific group of microorganisms is under current emphasis. Excessive reactive nitrogen, besides having a negative impact on human health, also causes the pollution of water bodies triggering imbalances in aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, efficient strategies need to be adopted in order to remove excessive reactive nitrogen from different sources, including wastewater treatment plants. Globally, various technologies are in use to increase the efficacy of nitrogen removal treatment at an economic cost. The present chapter is aimed at outlining the different approaches for efficient nitrogen recovery and its multitude of sustainable applications.