Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) bacteria can remove nitrogen in a single reactor, ostensibly eliminating the need for two separate reactors and allowing for reduced operational expense in treating waterbodies. To develop biotechnologies for advanced nutrient removal in domestic wastewater, industrial wastewater and costal marine farm wastewater, we tried to identity cultures capable of SND and phosphorus removal, which could lead to less energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. These cultures can then be employed in diverse wastewater in an easy- and green manner.

The project describes novel bacteria capable of removing both fixed nitrogen and phosphorus in a single step (), which could lead to less energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment processes (treatment of municipal, industrial and coastal marine fish farm wastewaters), facilitating treatment process to achieve energy neutrality. Compared to conventional nitrogen removal (nitrification and denitrification), our discovery can save 62.5% electricity due to lower oxygen demand. This discovery presents an even greater opportunity for the next generation of wastewater treatment technologies towards more sustainable, energy- and cost- saving processes, while meeting treatment targets.

• Remove nutrients in a more effective manner to build a resource-efficient process.
• Eliminate the need for separate reactors to save land to build a sustainable city.
• Limit greenhouse gas emissions by reducing total nitrous oxide production to build a climate-resilient nation.

visual illustration of strain SND5 capable of simultaneous N and P removal via a novel pathway

For more details, please contact:
Prof He Jianzhong
Email: ceehj@nus.edu.sg