Page 13 - Simplified Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals_BNR

Biological Nutrient Reduction (BNR)

Nitrosomonas is the first community of bacteria that is needed to begin to break down

ammonia. Ammonia is a food source for Nitrosomonas.

Nitrosomonas reduces Ammonia (NH3) to Nitrite (NO2).

Nitrobacter is the second community of bacteria that is needed to continue nitrogen

oxidation.

Nitrobacter grows even slower than Nitrosomonas. Nitrobacter feeds on the Nitrite (NO2)

which is the waste product of Nitrosomonas.

Nitrobacter converts Nitrite (NO2) to Nitrate (NO3).