Nitrification Nitrification is the term used to describe the two-step biological process in which ammonia (NH4N) is oxidized to nitrite

(NO2-N) and nitrite is oxidized to nitrate (NO3-N).Nitrification occurs only under aerobic conditions, hence dissolved oxygen must be available to the bacteria in the treatment process. Approximately 4.6 pounds of oxygen per pound of ammonia oxidized by the bacteria. Temperature, pH, and alkalinity are other factors which impact biological nitrification. Alkalinity is consumed at a rate of approximately 7.14 pounds per pound of ammonia nitrified. During nitrification, this alkalinity reduction causes the pH of the wastewater to drop. The optimum pH for nitrification is approximately 8. (GeorgeTchobanoglous et al. 2004, pp. 611) Denitrification Denitrification is the biological reduction of nitrate to nitric oxide, nitrous oxide and nitrogen gas. Biological nitrogen removal is used in waste water treatment where there are concerns for eutrophication. Two modes of nitrate removal can occur which are termed assimilating and dissimilating nitrate reduction. (GeorgeTchobanoglous et al. 2004, pp. 619) Phosphorus removal In biological removal of phosphorus, the phosphorus in the influent waste water is incorporated into cell biomass, which subsequently is removed from the process as a result of sludge wasting. (GeorgeTchobanoglous et al. 2004, pp. 623) Aerobic treatment Aerobic systems treat waste water using natural processes that require oxygen. The bacteria utilize the available oxygen to degrade organic matter (generally quantified as biochemical oxygen demand or BOD) and other pollutants involved in various production systems. (EBS Environmental, 2013)