The nutrient lab contains equipment for the analysis of forms of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds.  Data generated by the nutrient lab provides plant operations with information necessary to efficiently remove these nutrients from wastewater and limit their discharge to the environment. Samples are processed using flow injection analysis (FIA) instrumentation. 

Phosphorus is naturally found in wastewater, primarily as a constituent of organic wastes. Wastewater treatment plants are required to minimize the amount of phosphorus discharged in their effluent in order to prevent excessive algae growth in receiving waters. Two forms of phosphorus are measured in the laboratory:

Total Phosphorus
Total Phosphorus (TP) measures all forms of phosphorus, including phosphorus contained in wastewater and in the microorganisms that feed on wastewater during the treatment process. TP is measured using the Semi-Automated Block Digester Method (EPA 365.4).

Orthophosphorus
Orthophosphorus is dissolved phosphorus that is easily consumed by algae and other microorganisms.  It is measured using the Ascorbic Acid Reduction method (EPA 365.1).

Wastewater naturally contains several forms of nitrogen.  The wastewater treatment process relies on bacteria to convert nitrogen in the wastewater into forms that are not harmful to the environment. The following forms of nitrogen are analyzed in the laboratory:

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) is also known as organic nitrogen and is the form of nitrogen most commonly found in untreated wastewater. TKN is analyzed using the Semi-Automated Block Digester method (EPA 351.2).

Ammonia
The decomposition of organic wastes in the treatment plant converts TKN to ammonia.  Removal of ammonia is required because of its toxic effect on fish and other aquatic life in the receiving water. The biological section of the treatment plant converts ammonia to nitrogen gas through bacteriological processes known as nitrification and denitrification.  The nitrogen gas is released to the atmosphere where it is already a natural component. Ammonia is analyzed using the automated phenate method (EPA 350.1).

Nitrate-Nitrite
The nitrification process produces nitrate and nitrite, which are common inorganic forms of nitrogen. These forms of nitrogen can be taken up by algae and other aquatic plants.  High concentrations of nitrate and nitrite may also contribute to algal blooms in the receiving water.  These compounds are analysed using the automated cadmium reduction method (EPA 353.2).