The University of Queensland

Revealing the microbial process of iron-driven anaerobic ammonium oxidation (2018–2021)

Abstract:

This project aims to gain fundamental understanding of the recently discovered microbially-facilitated process of anaerobic ammonium oxidation that is coupled to iron reduction. This process (called Feammox) is suggested to be responsible for significant nitrogen loss from soil and sediment ecosystems, resulting in pollution of the atmosphere and our water systems. In the project, the Feammox microorganisms will be enriched and then characterised to reveal the metabolic details of the iron reduction and ammonium oxidation pathways. This will improve understanding of ecosystem nitrogen flux and benefit the management of nitrogen fertilizers used to meet the food and energy requirements of the world‿s growing populations.

Grant type:

ARC Discovery Projects

Researchers:

• 

  Associate Professor Shihu Hu

  UQ Amplify Researcher
  

  Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology

  Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Funded by:

Australian Research Council