Tennessee Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

Which process is essential for removing nutrients such as ammonia in wastewater treatment?

1. Decanting

2. Nitrification

3. Denitrification

4. Filtration

The correct answer is: Nitrification

Nitrification is the biological process that is crucial for the removal of ammonia in wastewater treatment. During nitrification, ammonia is first oxidized to nitrite by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and then further oxidized to nitrate by nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. This process effectively transforms toxic ammonia into less harmful nitrogen compounds, allowing for their eventual removal from the wastewater. In systems that aim to treat wastewater effectively, particularly where ammonia concentrations are high, nitrification is a critical step because it reduces the potential for toxicity in the environment and protects aquatic life. Understanding this process is essential for operators working with wastewater treatment systems, as it directly impacts the overall performance and efficiency of removing nitrogenous compounds from the effluent. The other processes mentioned—decanting, denitrification, and filtration—play different roles in wastewater treatment. Decanting is a physical separation process; denitrification is the reduction of nitrates to nitrogen gas, which occurs after nitrification, and is aimed at removing nitrates, not ammonia directly; filtration involves removing solids and particulates from the water rather than addressing nutrient removal specifically.