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

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.