Research progress and prospects of complete ammonia oxidizing bacteria in wastewater treatment

Highlights

• Comammox bacteria have unique physiological characteristics.

• Comammox bacteria are widely distributed in natural and artificial systems.

• Comammox bacteria have the potential to reduce N₂O emissions.

• Coupling comammox bacteria with DEAMOX can be promoted in wastewater treatment.

• Comammox bacteria have significant potential for enhancing total nitrogen removal.

Abstract

Complete ammonia oxidizing bacteria, or comammox bacteria (CAOB), can oxidize ammonium to nitrate on its own. Its discovery revolutionized our understanding of biological nitrification, and its distribution in both natural and artificial systems has enabled a reevaluation of the relative contribution of microorganisms to the nitrogen cycle. Its wide distribution, adaptation to oligotrophic medium, and diverse metabolic pathways, means extensive research on CAOB and its application in water treatment can be promoted. Furthermore, the energy-saving characteristics of high oxygen affinity and low sludge production may also become frontier directions for wastewater treatment. This paper provides an overview of the discovery and environmental distribution of CAOB, as well as the physiological characteristics of the microorganisms, such as nutrient medium, environmental factors, enzymes, and metabolism, focusing on future research and the application of CAOB in wastewater treatment. Further research should be carried out on the physiological characteristics of CAOB, to analyze its ecological niche and impact factors, and explore its application potential in wastewater treatment nitrogen cycle improvement.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Complete ammonia oxidizing (comammox) bacteria / Nitrogen cycle / Physiological characteristics / Wastewater treatment

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Acknowledgements

This research project was financially supported by the Foundation for Innovation Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 62021003); Biological Wastewater Treatment and Process Control Technology, Beijing International Science and technology Cooperation Base; and the Founding projects of Beijing Municipal Commission of Education.

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