Operational Keys to Nitrite Lock

Authors: Muirhead, Woodie Mark; Appleton, Ron

Source: Water Practice, Volume 2, Number 4, June 2008 , pp. 1-15(15)

Publisher: Water Environment Federation

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Abstract:

Nitrite-nitrogen seldom exceeds 1.0 milligram per liter (mg/L) in a properly controlled nitrification process. As soon as ammonia is oxidized to nitrite by ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), the nitrite is oxidized to nitrate by nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Under certain environmental conditions, such as a poorly established or inhibited NOB population, the nitrite concentration will increase. High nitrite concentrations can interfere with disinfection and cause violations of effluent bacteria limits, result potentially in whole effluent toxicity (WET) failures, and cause effluent pH violations. An abnormal increase in secondary effluent nitrite is referred commonly as "nitrite lock". It is discussed frequently in the Water Environment Federations' Technical Discussion Forum and is not understood fully. This paper will explain nitrite lock, present case studies from four treatment plants, and outline operational strategies for preventing and controlling nitrite lock.

Keywords: NITRIFICATION; NITRITE LOCK; INHIBITION; DISINFECTION

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2175/193317708X335226

Publication date: 2008-06-01

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Water Practice™ publishes peer-reviewed articles and reports focusing on applied water studies. Topics include monitoring, facility operations and maintenance, management, policy, and other issues of interest and concern to water practitioners. The Journal publishes on a monthly to bi-monthly basis and is available online only.
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