In wastewater treatment, which pollutant is primarily removed in advanced processes?

In advanced wastewater treatment processes, both nitrogen and phosphorus are primarily targeted for removal. This is crucial because high levels of these nutrients can lead to eutrophication in receiving water bodies, which is the excessive growth of algae that depletes oxygen and harms aquatic life.

Advanced treatment techniques, such as nutrient removal processes, often involve specific methods tailored to handle both nitrogen and phosphorus efficiently. For nitrogen removal, processes like nitrification followed by denitrification are commonly employed. Phosphorus removal can be achieved through biological processes or chemical precipitation. By targeting both of these nutrients, advanced treatment processes help mitigate their detrimental environmental effects, ensuring that treated effluent meets regulatory standards and protects water quality.

While suspended solids are managed in primary and secondary treatment phases, the advanced processes focus on the more complex removal of nutrients. Thus, the selection of both nitrogen and phosphorus as the focus for removal in advanced processes reflects the necessity of addressing these pollutants for effective wastewater management.