Which component must be oxidized first in the nitrogen removal process?

In the nitrogen removal process, ammonia must be oxidized first because it is the primary form of nitrogen found in wastewater that needs to be converted to a less harmful substance. This process, known as nitrification, involves the biological oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate.

By oxidizing ammonia initially, the process helps mitigate toxic effects that high ammonia concentrations can have on aquatic life and the overall environment. After ammonia is converted to nitrite, it can subsequently be further oxidized to nitrate. Nitrite and nitrate are less toxic and can be further processed in denitrification, where they are eventually converted to nitrogen gas, which is harmless and released into the atmosphere.

The other components, such as nitrite and nitrate, are products of the oxidation process and cannot be oxidized until ammonia is converted first. BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) reflects the organic matter in the water, but it does not participate directly in the nitrogen removal process in the same manner as ammonia does. Thus, focusing on ammonia as the first component to be oxidized sets the stage for effective nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment.