In what type of wastewater treatment process is ammonia typically removed?

The removal of ammonia from wastewater is primarily achieved through the nitrification process, which is a biological treatment method. During nitrification, ammonia is oxidized to nitrite and then further oxidized to nitrate by specific groups of bacteria, namely ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). This process is essential in nitrogen removal from wastewater, as high levels of ammonia can be toxic to aquatic life.

The nitrification process is particularly effective in removing ammonia because it not only lowers the ammonia concentration but also prepares the nitrogen for subsequent removal steps, such as denitrification, which converts nitrate into nitrogen gas that can be released into the atmosphere. Understanding the role of nitrification is crucial for wastewater treatment operators to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and protect water quality.