An environmental perspective of nitrogen cycle

The nitrogen cycle represents one of the most important nutrient cycles found in terrestrial ecosystems. Biological nitrogen removal is widely utilised for elimination of nitrogen from wastewater by means of nitrification and denitrification. Nitrogen removal can also be achieved through anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox), a process during which ammonium is converted directly to dinitrogen under anaerobic conditions. Anammox presents significant potential for efficient nitrogen cycling. Anammox has the obvious economic and environmental advantages over traditional nitrogen removal processes with low operation costs and direct nitrogen conversion, thus fastening nitrogen cycling and reducing nitrogen impact on the environment.