Metagenomics: An innovative & practical tool to drive down Carbon, OPEX, Nitrogen & Phosphorus: PAPER & PRESENTATION
Smyth, M. and Sheeran, K., Aqua Enviro, UK
(free)
Abstract
Is it possible to achieve a stepwise reduction in OPEX and carbon yet achieve stringent consents to discharge for nitrogen and phosphorus? There is an increasing evidence base that the answer to this and other 2030 and beyond innovation questions is yes.
What is new and how is our understanding growing?
In the era of DNA sequencing, aka metagenomics, we can drill down to the species identification level and also evaluate biological diversity, giving us access to a wealth of new information. Sampling and DNA sequencing analysis is not yet ‘business as usual’, but it is increasingly widespread due to the recognition of its potential as a game changer technology.
Beyond this, how do we interpret and practically apply the data?
Evidence is gathering to benchmark treatment plant DNA against plants around the world that are moving towards achieving low carbon, OPEX, N & P. Growing our understanding around the conditions that need to be achieved to grow your populations of Tetrasphaera, Dechloromonas, Nitrospira, Nitrobacter, Comammox, Anammox, Psuedomonas, Rhodocyclus is at the heart of unlocking innovation.
In this paper we explore how ‘the environment selects’ and explain the steps required to achieve the practical application of the innovative and exciting area of metagenomics.
Keywords
Activated Sludge, Innovation, Metagenomics, Net Zero.
