Nitrifikation - grundlagen des stoffwechsels und probleme bei der nutzung von ammoniakoxidanten

Abstract

From an ecological point of view, a great problem results from the release of increasing amounts of inorganic and organic nitrogen compounds. Apart from gaseous nitrogen compounds, such as the greenhouse gas N2O, soluble nitrogen compounds such as ammonium cause difficulties. In recent years, great progress has been made regarding the reduction of the emission of sulfur and phosphorus compounds. Since there are no effective strategies for the decrease of nitrogen releases, the emission of such compounds has even been increasing. Therefore, great efforts are being made to eliminate the soluble nitrogen compounds in particular, for example in wastewater treatment plants. A decisive meaning befits the chemolithoautotrophic ammonia oxidizers. This review focuses on the ecological consequences of the release of ammonia in particular, the metabolism of the ammonia oxidizing microorganisms under consideration of the latest research results, and the problems that arise in the context of using these bacteria for the removal of ammonia.