What is Nitrogen?

Nitrogen makes up about 78%

of our atmosphere.
Nitrogen in the atmosphere it is mostly in the
N2 which is a compound that plants
form of ______,
and animals cannot use.
The process of converting nitrogen into
compounds that can be used by plants and
animals is called the ______________________.
Nitrogen Cycle
 Why we care about nitrogen
Nitrogen is an essential
component of
DNA, RNA and Proteins
_____________________.
The building blocks of life.
 How does atmospheric nitrogen (N2) get
changed into a form that can be used by
most living organisms?
Four
By traveling through one of the ________
processes in the Nitrogen Cycle!

(1) Nitrogen Fixation

(4) Denitrification
Nitrogen
Cycle

(3) Nitrification (2) Ammonification

 Process 1: Nitrogen Fixation
Nitrogen Fixation
___________________ is the process in
which the N2 compound in the atmosphere
breaks and combines with other compounds.
fixed
The nitrogen is _________ when it combines
with ______________
hydrogen or _______________.
oxygen

N
N

H N2
N
H H
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
Ammonia (NH3)
 Three ways to fix Nitrogen
Main process: Special ____________
bacteria
convert the nitrogen gas (N2) to
ammonia (NH3), which only ________
some
plants can use (peas, beans).

Lightning
_________________ strikes convert
N2 to N2O or NO3.

Chemical
Industrial production. ____________
manipulation turns N2 into NH3
(Fertilizer)
 Process 2: Ammonification
Ammonification
_____________________ - After all the living
organisms have used the ___________________,
organic nitrogen
decomposer bacteria convert the nitrogen to
ammonia
_______________.

N
H H

Bacteria Ammonia

Organic Nitrogen (proteins)

 Process 3: Nitrification
H
Nitrification
_______________ is the process that
N
converts ammonia (NH3) into nitrites H H
(NO2) and nitrates (NO3) which most
____
plants _______
can use.
Both
Note: Ammonia comes from ______ O O
N
nitrogen fixation and ammonification

O
How is it done?
N
Bacteria!
_____________________ O O
 Process 4: Denitrification
_______________:
Denitrification Process in which nitrogen
convert back
compounds _____________________ into
atmospheric nitrogen (N2 or N2O).
The main process is performed by
bacteria
_____________________ in the soil. It can
also happen by _____________
burning fossil fuels.

N2

NO3 N2O
 N2
N2O
(4) Denitrification (1) Nitrogen Fixation

Nitrogen
Cycle
(2) Ammonification

(3) Nitrification
NO3
Ammonia is converted
to nitrites and nitrates.
NH3
Nitrates in Soil Organic nitrogen is
converted to ammonia.
 Nitrogen in
the air

nitrogen fixing plant

eg pea, clover animal protein
plant made
protein

denitrifying dead plants & animals

root nodules urine & feces
(containing nitrogen bacteria
fixing bacteria)
decomposition by bacteria & fungi
nitrates absorbed

nitrates ammonia

bacteria bacteria
nitrites
(nitrifying bacteria)
 Human Impact
___________________,
Combustion releases toxic nitrogen
compounds into the atmosphere.
____________________________
Commercial Fertilizers release
nitrous oxide into the atmosphere and introduce
excess nitrogen into the environment.
Remove nitrogen from the soil when we mine it
mineral deposits
for nitrogen rich __________________________.
Discharge of ___________________________
municipal sewage
releases excess nitrogen into the water ecosystems
which disrupts the aquatic balance and kills fish.
 Commercial Fertilizers

Are the ______

#1 contributor of new nitrogen in
the nitrogen cycle.
limiting factor
Added because nitrogen is a ________________
for plant growth.
Problems: hard to apply fertilizer and keep it in
one area. Runoff, evaporation, etc.. So farmers
twice as much
apply about ___________________ as they
need.
food chain
Extra nitrogen disrupts the ________________.
Sewage disposal is the process in which sewage is
transported through cities and inhabited areas to
sewage treatment plants, where it is then treated to
remove contaminants to produce environmentally-safe
waste.
Disposal of sewage waste protects public health and
prevents disease as well as water pollution from
sewage contaminants. Many modern cities have
sewage disposal systems, and advancing technology
has allowed for more environmentally friendly and
healthy solutions to disposing and treating sewage.
Sewage systems are part of modern infrastructure and
urban utilities, which also include gas, electric, and
water supply.
What is waste water?
Used water includes.
Food scraps, oil and soaps.
Human wastes.
Industrial wastes.
 Where does it all go!
Where does When you flush the
the water from toilet where does
the washer the contents go?
go?

By gravity flow, the waste is on its way to your local

wastewater treatment plant!

WWTP
 Why treat wastewater?
To remove pollutants from waste
water for its recycling.
To promote health concern and
public hygiene.
To preserve aquatic life and
wildlife habitat.
To promote recreation and
quality of life.
Stages of treatment

1.Primary treatment

2.Secondary treatment.

3.Tertiary treatment.
Treatment Flow chart
 PRIMARY TREATMENT

Removal of large objects from

influent sewage.
Ex. by physical separation of grit and large
objects (material to landfill for disposal)
Mechanical treatment
 Secondary treatment
Utilizesbiological treatment processes
removes dissolved colloidal and organic
matter from waste water.
microorganisms convert nonsettleable
solids to settleable solids.
Ex.
Bacteria and protozoa
:Three approaches are there to accomplish this
 APPROACHES
TO SECONDARY TREATMENT

FIXED FILM SYSTEMS

SUSPENDED FILM SYSTEMS
LAGOON SYSTEMS

organic matter + O2 CO2 + NH3 +

H2O
NH3 NO3- aquatic nutrient
 FIXED FILM SYSTEMS
Micro-organisms on substrates such as
rocks, sand or plastic are cultured.

Waste water is spread over the substrate .

Nutrients and organic matter are absorbed

by micro-organisms as they grow in size.

Eg. trickling filters,rotating biological

contactors,and sand filters.
 TRICKLING FILTERS

Organic material present in the wastewater is

metabolised by the biomass.

Biological slime grows in thickness as the organic

matter abstracted from the flowing wastewater is
synthesized into new cellular material.

The liquid then washes the slime off the medium and a
new slime layer starts to grow------sloughing.

The collected liquid is passed to a settling tank used for

solid- liquid separation.
Trickling filter
ROTOTIN BIOLOGICAL CONTACTOR
SAND FILTERS
 Suspended film systems

Stir & suspend microorganisms in waste

water.

They absorb organic matter &nutrients from

waste water.

After hours, they settle as sludge..

Ex..activated sludge system..etc

 Activated sludge system
It consists of 2 parts:
1. An aeration tank
2. A settling tank(clarifiers)
Aeration tank :it consists of sludge(mixed microbial
culture)which contains bacteria, protozoa,fungi and
algae etc.
Activated sludge system
 LAGOON SYSTEMS
Consist of in-ground earthen basins in which the waste is
detained for a specified time and then discharged.

They take advantage of natural aeration and

microorganisms in the wastewater to remove sewage.
 Tertiary treatment
(Disinfection)
PURPOSE: Destruction of harmful (pathogenic)
microorganisms,i.e.disease causing germs.

Done through:

1. Chlorination
2. Ozone:more powerful but unstable to
store.
3. Ultraviolet light
4. Hydrogen peroxide:similar to ozone
but activators such as formic acid is
required to improve its working.
SUMMARY
OTHER TREATMENT..

SLUDGE TREATMENT
Zoilo, Lowella Mae
 A Septic Tank is a below ground watertight box
(concrete, plastic or fiberglass), often about 9 x 5 x
6 feet. It separates the liquids and solids, provides
digestion of some organics (mainly by bacteria
which live without oxygen) and storage. It
discharges partially filtered and clarified effluent to
the drainfield for final treatment.
 The term "septic" refers to the anaerobic bacterial environment that develops
in the tank which decomposes or mineralizes the waste discharged into the
tank. Septic tanks can be coupled with other onsite wastewater
treatment units such as biofilters or aerobic systems involving artificially
forced aeration.
A septic tank consists of one or more concrete or plastic tanks of between
4000 and 7500 liters (1,000 and 2,000 gallons); one end is connected to an
inlet wastewater pipe and the other to a septic drain field. Generally these
pipe connections are made with a T pipe, allowing liquid to enter and exit
without disturbing any crust on the surface.
Wastewater enters the first chamber of the tank, allowing solids to settle and
scum to float. The settled solids are anaerobically digested, reducing the
volume of solids. The liquid component flows through the dividing wall into
the second chamber, where further settlement takes place.
A properly designed and normally operating septic system is odor-free and,
besides periodic inspection and emptying of the septic tank, should last for
decades with minimal maintenance.
A well designed and maintained concrete, fiberglass, or plastic tank should
last about 50 years.
 Waste that is not decomposed by the anaerobic digestion must
eventually be removed from the septic tank..
When a septic tank is emptied, the accumulated sludge (septage,
also known as fecal sludge[9]) is pumped out of the tank by
a vacuum truck.
How often the septic tank must be emptied depends on the volume
of the tank relative to the input of solids, the amount of indigestible
solids, and the ambient temperature as well as usage, system
characteristics and the requirements of the relevant authority.
Some systems require pumping every few years or sooner, while
others may be able to go 1020 years between pumpings.
An older system with an undersize tank that is being used by a large
family will require much more frequent pumping than a new system
used by only a few people.
 User's actions
Excessive disposal of cooking oils and grease can cause the inlet
drains to block. Oils and grease are often difficult to degrade and
can cause odor problems and difficulties with the periodic emptying.
Flushing non-biodegradable waste items down the toilet such
as cigarette butts, cotton buds/swabs or menstrual hygiene
products (e.g. sanitary napkins or tampons) and condoms can cause
a septic tank to clog and fill rapidly.
Using the toilet for disposal of food waste can cause a rapid
overload of the system with solids and contribute to failure.
Certain chemicals may damage the components of a septic tank or
kill the bacteria needed in the septic tank for the system to operate
properly, such as pesticides, herbicides, materials with high
concentrations of bleach or caustic soda (lye)] or any other in.organic
materials such as paints or solvents
 Odor and gas emissions
Some constituents of wastewater, especially sulfates, under the anaerobic
conditions of septic tanks, are reduced to hydrogen sulfide,
a pungent and toxic gas. Methane may also be released. Nitrates and organic
nitrogen compounds can be reduced to ammonia.
Nutrients in the effluent
Septic tanks by themselves are ineffective at removing nitrogen compounds that
have potential to cause algal blooms in waterways into which affected water from
a septic system finds its way. This can be remedied by using a nitrogen-reducing
technology,[14] or by simply ensuring that the leach field is properly sited to
prevent direct entry of effluent into bodies of water.
Groundwater pollution
In areas with high population density, groundwater pollution beyond acceptable
limits may occur. To reduce residential development which might increase the
demand to construct an expensive centralized sewerage system, building
moratoriums and limits on the subdivision of property are often imposed.
Surface water pollution
In areas adjacent to water bodies with fish or shellfish intended for human
consumption, improperly maintained and failing septic systems contribute to
pollution levels that can force harvest restrictions and/or commercial or
recreational harvest closures.
 A pit latrine or pit toilet is a type of toilet that collects human
feces in a hole in the ground.
They use either no water or one to three liters per flush with pour-
flush pit latrines. When properly built and maintained they can
decrease the spread of disease by reducing the amount of human
feces in the environment from open defecation.
This decreases the transfer of pathogens between feces and food
by flies.
These pathogens are major causes of infectious
diarrhea and intestinal worm infections.
Pit latrines are the lowest cost method of separating feces from
people.
Drawing of a simple pit latrine with a squatting pan and
shelter
 A pit latrine may or may not count towards the Millennium
Development Goals (MDG) target of increasing access
to sanitation for the world's population, depending on the
type of pit latrine:
A pit latrine without a slab is regarded as unimproved
sanitation and does not count towards the target.
A pit latrine with a slab, a ventilated improved pit latrine and
a pour flush pit latrine connected to a pit or septic tank are
counted as being "improved sanitation" facilities as they are
more likely to hygienically separate human excreta from
human contact.
 Size of the drop hole
The user positions themself over the small drop hole during
use. The size of the feces drop hole in the floor or slab
should not be larger than 25 centimeters (9.8 inches) to
prevent children falling in.
Light should be prevented from entering the pit to reduce
access by flies. This requires the use of a lid to cover the hole
in the floor when not in use.
Squatting pan or toilet seat
On top of the drop hole there can either be nothing (this is
the simplest form of a pit latrine) or there can be a squatting
pan, seat (pedestal) or bench which can be made of concrete,
ceramic, plastic or wood.
 Shelter
A shelter, shed, small building or "super-structure" houses the
squatting pan or toilet seat and provides privacy and protection
from the weather for the user.
Pit lining
Partial
A "partially lined" pit latrine is one where the upper part of the
hole in the ground is lined. Pit lining materials can include brick,
rot-resistant timber, concrete, stones, or mortar plastered onto
the soil.
Fully
A fully lined pit latrine has concrete lining also at the base so
that no liquids infiltrate into the ground. The advantage is that
no groundwater contamination can occur. The major
disadvantage is that a fully lined pit latrine fills up very fast (as
the urine cannot escape the pit) which results in high costs to
empty and maintain the latrine. Increased odor can also be an
issue as the pit content is much wetter and emits more odor.
Ventilated Improved Pit
 The ventilated improved pit latrine (VIP) is a pit
latrine with a black pipe (vent pipe) fitted to the pit
and a screen (flyscreen) at the top outlet of the
pipe.
VIP latrines are an improvement to overcome the
disadvantages of simple pit latrines, e.g. fly and
mosquito nuisance and unpleasant odors. The
smell is carried upwards by the chimney effect and
flies are prevented from leaving the pit and
spreading disease.
Twin Pit Designs
 A further possible improvement is the use of a
second pit which is used in alternation with the
first pit.
It means that the first pit can rest for the duration
of time it takes to fill up the second pit.
When the second pit is also full, then the first pit is
emptied.
The fecal sludge collected in that first pit has in the
meantime undergone some degree of pathogen
reduction although this is unlikely to be complete.
Pour-flush Pit Latrine
 Pourflush pit latrine schematic showing squatting pan
with water seal
In a pourflush pit latrine, a squatting toilet with a water
seal (U-trap or siphon) is used over one or two offset pits
instead of a plain hole or seat.
Therefore, these types of toilets do require water for
flushing but otherwise have many of the same
characteristics as simple pit latrines and are for this
reason subsumed under the term "pit latrine".
The fecal sludge that is removed from the full pits of twin-
pit pour-pour flush pit latrines is somewhat safer to
handle and reuse than the fecal sludge from single pit
pour-flush latrines, although significant health risks
remain in either case and are a cause for concern.
Cat Hole
 A cat hole is a one-time use pit toilet often
utilized by campers, hikers and
other outdoor recreationalists.
It is also called the "cat method" and simply
means digging a little hole just large enough
for the feces of one defecation event which is
afterwards covered with soil.
 When the pit is full, the toilet is no longer usable. The time it
takes to fill the pit depends on its volume, the number of
users, the soil permeability and groundwater level.
It can typically take between one and ten years or even
longer in some exceptional cases.
At that point, the pit latrine is either covered and abandoned,
and a new one built if space on the property permits this. The
new pit latrine may reuse the shelter (super-structure)..
The emptying can be done manually with shovels and buckets
(manual scavenging), with manually powered pumps or with
motorized pumps mounted on a vacuum truck which carries a
tank for storage.
 A range of commercial products are available
which claim to help reduce the volume of feces in
a latrine, and reduce odor and fly problems.
They are collectively described as a pit
additive and many of them are based on the
concept of effective microorganisms.
The intention is to add specific strains of
microbes to aid the decomposition process but
their effectiveness is disputed and recent
research found no effect in scientific test
conditions.
Wood ash or sawdust can also be added on top
of the feces to decrease the smell.
 Can be built and repaired with locally
available materials
Low (but variable) capital costs depending on
materials and pit depth
Small land area required
 Flies and odors are normally noticeable to the users
The toilet has to be outdoors with the associated
security risks if the person is living in an insecure
situation
Low reduction in organic matter content and
pathogens
Possible contamination of groundwater with
pathogens and nitrate
Costs to empty the pits may be significant compared
to capital costs
Pit emptying is often done in a very unsafe manner
Sludge (called fecal sludge) requires further treatment
and/or appropriate discharge
 Pit latrines may or may not be an enjoyable experience to
use. Problems may occur when the pit latrine is shared by
too many people, is not cleaned daily and not emptied
when the pit is full.
In such cases, flies and odor can be a massive nuisance.
Also, pit latrines are usually dark places which are difficult
to keep clean.
For these reasons, shared pit latrines can be quite
uncomfortable to use in developing countries. Also, there
might be cultural preferences for open defecation and
these may be difficult to overcome with unattractive toilet
designs.
This is currently being discussed amongst experts for the
example in the case of rural India where behaviour change
campaigns are needed to reduce open defecation
 School pit latrine after maintenance has been
neglected at Ambira Boys High School, Nyanza
Province, Kenya
 Pit latrines are often promoted by government agencies and
NGOs in rural areas as a low-cost quick fix solution (even in
areas where other types of toiles, such as dry toilets, might
be the better solution for example due to high groundwater
table).
The community-led total sanitation campaigns which have
been successful in many developing countries usually also
result in the construction of pit latrines as a first step to get
away from open defecation.