Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen are common causes of eutrophication in natural water bodies when present in high concentrations, leading to the growth of toxic Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) with adverse effects on plant and animal life.

BIOENG focusses on biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal processes in wastewater treatment systems, and optimising the performance of these systems;

Investigation into operational conditions - minimise the growth of unwanted competitor organisms (e.g. glycogen accumulating organisms – GAOs) that can grow and reduce the efficiency of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems; Identification of relevant microorganisms performing nitrification (ammonia oxidising bacteria – AOB and nitrite oxidising bacteria – NOB), denitrification and phosphorus removal (polyphosphate accumulating organisms – PAOs), GAOs and others using molecular tools;
Investigation into the metabolic characteristics of these different groups of microorganisms; Development and application of mathematical models to describe, design and optimise BNR processes.

Nutrient recovery is of increasing importance due to the rapid depletion of phosphorus reserves worldwide;

BIOENG is investigating:

• new links between BNR and nutrient recovery with alternative process configurations in order to maximise our ability to re-utilise valuable resource.