Title: An environmental perspective of nitrogen cycle

Authors: Zhiyong Tian, Dong Li, Junliang Liu, Jie Zhang, Christal Banks, Gang Chen

Addresses: Department of Urban Water Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, No. 8, Dayangfang, Anwai Beiyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012, PR China. ' Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, No. 100, Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100022, PR China. ' College of Urban and Rural Construction, Agricultural University of Hebei, No. 289, Lingyusi Street, Baoding 071001, PR China. ' Beijing Key Laboratory of Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, No. 100, Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100022, PR China. ' MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, 2533 Greer Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308, USA. ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA

Abstract: The nitrogen cycle represents one of the most important nutrient cycles found in terrestrial ecosystems. Biological nitrogen removal is widely utilised for elimination of nitrogen from wastewater by means of nitrification and denitrification. Nitrogen removal can also be achieved through anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox), a process during which ammonium is converted directly to dinitrogen under anaerobic conditions. Anammox presents significant potential for efficient nitrogen cycling. Anammox has the obvious economic and environmental advantages over traditional nitrogen removal processes with low operation costs and direct nitrogen conversion, thus fastening nitrogen cycling and reducing nitrogen impact on the environment.

Keywords: environment; nitrogen cycle; nitrification; denitrification; Anammox; economic impact; social impact; nitrogen removal; wastewater treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2009.026942

International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2009 Vol.9 No.3, pp.199 - 211

Published online: 09 Jul 2009 *

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