This article focuses on a few of the most exciting, very recent developments in the nitrogen cycle, summarises the changes and points out some questions to guide future research. The main processes of interest are anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox), aerobic nitrification by archaea, nitrogen fixation by unicellular marine cyanobacteria, and the issue of the balance and coupling between internal input and removal pathways.
WARD, B.B. ; CAPONE, D.G. ; ZEHR, J.P. (2011): What’s New in the Nitrogen Cycle?. In: Oceanography: Volume 20 , 101-109. URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]Library
Check out this pdf-presentation about an IFAS project, how it was designed, constructed and its performance.
FLAMMING, J. (n.y): Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) System for Additional Nitrification at the Coldwater WWTP. (= PDF Presentation ). Grand Rapids: Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. (FTC&H) URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]Anaerobic ammonium oxidation processes with nitrite to N2 (anammox) has become a main focus and been widely introduced as a cost-effective biological nitrogen removal way in wastewater treatment. This paper reviews various patents, which were well developed to achieve this process, such as SHARON-Anammox, CANON, and OLAND.
LI, A. ; SUN, G. ; XU, M. (2008): Recent Patents on Anammox Process. In: Recent Patents on Engineering 2008: Volume 2 , 189-194. URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]This study was intended to identify and test an appropriate and effective solution for the lack of adequate wastewater treatment in these communities. The MBR system, employing a Zenon ZW-10 ultrafiltration membrane, was designed and constructed at the University of Manitoba. It was installed and tested in two phases at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Reserve in Northern Manitoba.
FREDERICKSON, K.C. (2005): The Application of a Membrane Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment. (= Master Thesis ). Winnipeg: University of Manitoba URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]These guidance notes are designed to provide state governments and urban local bodies with additional information on available technologies on sanitation. The notes also aid in making an informed choice and explain the suitability of approaches.
WSP (2008): Technology Options for Urban Sanitation in India. A Guide to Decision-Making. pdf presentation. New Delhi: Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]In this chapter, the authors have covered several aspects of MBR, with an exhaustive overview of its operational and biological performance. Different configurations and hydraulics of MBR are presented, with attention given to the fouling phenomenon and strategies for reducing it. Also, the high quality of MBR effluent is discussed, whereas in comparison with CAS removals of organic matter, ammonia, phosphorus, solids, bacteria and viruses are significantly enhanced.
RADJENOVIC, J. MATOSIC, M. MIJATOVIC, I. PETROVIC, M. (2008): Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) as an Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technology. In: BARCELO, D. ; PETROVIC, M. (2008): Emerging Contaminants from Industrial and Municipal Waste. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Berlin-Heidelberg: 37-101. URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs) are commonly understood as the combination of membrane filtration and biological treatment using activated sludge. Development of a biofilm-MBR has been investigated combining a moving-bed-biofilm reactor with a submerged membrane biomass separation reactor. Treatment efficiencies were found to be high with the production of a consistent high-quality effluent, irrespective of loading rates on the bioreactor or membrane reactor operating modes. Membrane performance (fouling) is a function of the biofilm reactor effluent quality and varies with loading rates (HRT). Sustainable operation was found to correlate to the fate of the submicron particle size fraction throughout the treatment process.
LEIKNES, T.O. ODEGARD, H. (2006): The Development of a Biofilm Membrane Bioreactor. Trondheim: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]The information service on biogas technology has been developed and produced on the behalf of the GTZ project Information and Advisory Service on Appropriate Technology (ISAT). Volume II emphasises the design and operation of biogas plants.
ISAT ; GTZ (1999): Biogas - Application and Product Development. (= Biogas Digest , 2 ). Information and Advisory Services on Appropriate Technology (ISAT) and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) GmbH URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]This publication describes the operation and demonstration of environmentally sound technologies, reducing the consumption of water and targeting a closure of nutrient loops in a quarter of Hannover (including housings, a school, a church and industries). Environmental technology was combined with environmental education and awareness raising, particularly for the neighbourhood and the local youth. Applied technologies for the water cycle are: constructed wetlands, bio-reactors, mini wastewater treatment plant using rotating biological contactor technology for the greywater, rainwater reservoirs, urine diverting toilets, vacuum toilets, waterless urinals, and greywater evaporation beds. Further, block heat and solar power units were installed and ecological construction materials were used.
GTZ (2005): Oeko-Technik-Park Hannover, Germany. (= data sheets for ecosan projects , 7 ). Eschborn: German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]This brochure of the MBR manufacturer KUBOTA gives an overview of how MBR systems work.
KUBOTA (2010): KUBOTA Submerged Membrane Unit. London: Kubota Membrane Europe URL [Accessed: 03.06.2019]The following technologies were installed in the education centre “San Christoferus”: Constructed wetland for greywater treatment; compost filter for blackwater treatment; and double-vault urine diversion dehydration toilets. The aim of the project was to reduce water consumption and limit the wastewater flowing to the public sewer system, of which the largest part is discharged without treatment.
HOFFMANN, H. RUEN, S. SCHOEPE, A. (2009): Blackwater and greywater reuse system, Chorrillos, Lima, Peru. (= SuSanA - Case Studies ). Eschborn: Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) URL [Accessed: 02.06.2019]This paper explains the problem of conventional sanitation systems and provides solutions. How can nutrients be reused, how can wastewater be treated ecologically and how should water be managed.
OTTERPOHL, R. (2000): Design of Highly Efficient Source Control Sanitation and Practical Experiences. Wageningen: EURO-Summer School DESAR URL [Accessed: 02.06.2019]This paper shows the effectiveness and limitations of source control sanitation concepts with pre-treatment by pre-composting tanks (Rottebehaelter) to recover the particulate fraction of nutrients from household wastewater.
GAJUREL, D.R. ; LI, Z. ; OTTERPOHL, R. (2010): Investigation of the Effectiveness of Source Control Sanitation Concepts Including Pre-Treatment with Rottebehaelter. In: Water Science and Technology : Volume 48 , 111–118. URL [Accessed: 02.06.2019]This 8-page guide-book consists of information on need of composting and how to start composting at household level.
LAOIS COUNTY COUNCIL (n.y): Turn Spoil into Soil – A guide to Household Composting. URL [Accessed: 01.06.2019]This leaflet provides a summary on why and how to compost faeces.
VALLEY VIEW UNIVERSITY (2008): Small scale composting of human faeces - in a Nutshell. Hohenheim: University of Hohenheim (Germany), Berger Biotechnik, Valley View University Ghana URL [Accessed: 01.06.2019]This article describes the success story of two “garbiologists” from Waste Concern, Bangladesh who designed project and concept on making cash from trash through carbon trading mechanism.
FCO (2009): Trash to Cash – Slum Dwellers make Money from cutting Greenhouse Gases. (= Climate Success ). Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) URL [Accessed: 01.06.2019]This paper describes the project of constructing a thermophilic composting site in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010. The composting facilities have treated over 500,000 gallons of human waste in the past three years, converting it to pathogen free compost, over 10,000 gallons of which has been sold for use in agriculture and reforestation projects. The experience of thermophilic composting in Haiti is unique in scale and duration and can have global implications for waste treatment in both emergency and development contexts.
KRAMER, S. PRENETA, N. KILBRIDE, A. (2013): Delivering Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services in an Uncertain Environment: Thermophilic Composting of Human Wastes in Uncertain Urban Environments. A Case Study from Haiti. (= WECD International Conference , 36 ). Oakland: Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL) URL [Accessed: 01.06.2019]