Utilizing the community coalescence framework to examine nitrogen transformations within a coastal plain wastewater treatment plant

Natasha Bell, Department of Engineering, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC and Erin K. Field, Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

During this invited INSPIRE session, we will discuss opportunities for using community coalescence as a framework for assessing and managing microbes in municipal wastewater treatment that utilizes biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal processes. Specifically, we will discuss recent research initiatives to improve nutrient removal at a partnering wastewater treatment plant that processes an average of 10 million gallons per day of wastewater from municipal (90-95%) and pretreated industrial (5-10%) sources. We will explore how hydrologic and climatic extremes, aging infrastructure, and industrial wastewater inputs potentially contribute to newly established microbial communities and functions within wastewater treatment systems.