Emerging biotechnological applications of anaerobic ammonium oxidation.

Interactions between anammox bacteria and ammonium-oxidizing archaea, complete ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, and nitrate/nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidizing microorganisms offer a novel approach for the supply of nitrite to anammox bacteria for nitrogen removal from low-ammonium wastewater. Advances in material science reveal that interactions between anammox bacteria and carbonaceous materials, such as graphene oxide, granular activated carbon, biochar, and various forms of iron, can enhance anammox activity and nitrogen removal. The discovery of the extracellular electron transfer capability of anammox bacteria suggests a promising energy-efficient method for nitrogen removal with simultaneous energy recovery. The intrinsic adaptation of marine anammox bacteria to saline conditions positions them as a key tool for treating saline wastewater streams. Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is an energy-efficient method for nitrogen removal that opens the possibility for energy-neutral wastewater treatment. Research on anammox over the past decade has primarily focused on its implementation in domestic wastewater treatment. However, emerging studies are now expanding its use to novel biotechnological applications and wastewater treatment processes. This review highlights recent advances in the anammox field that aim to overcome conventional bottlenecks, and explores novel and niche-specific applications of the anammox process. Despite the promising results and potential of these advances, challenges persist for their real-world implementation. This underscores the need for a transition from laboratory achievements to practical, scalable solutions for wastewater treatment which mark the next crucial phase in the evolution of anammox research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]