The Impact of Bacteria on Nitrous Oxide Emission from Wastewater Treatment Plants: Bibliometric Analysis

Juvens Sugira Murekezi, Wei Chen, Biyi Zhao, Habasi Patrick Manzi, Jean Claude Nizeyimana, Claudien Habimana Simbi, Asmamaw Abat Getu, Oluwadamilola Oluwatoyin Hazzan and Yong Xiao (yxiao@iue.ac.cn)
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Juvens Sugira Murekezi: Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Wei Chen: Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Biyi Zhao: Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Habasi Patrick Manzi: Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Jean Claude Nizeyimana: Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Claudien Habimana Simbi: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Asmamaw Abat Getu: Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Oluwadamilola Oluwatoyin Hazzan: Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Yong Xiao: Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) is a potent greenhouse gas and contributor to ozone depletion, with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serving as significant sources of emissions due to biological processes involving bacteria. This study evaluates research on the role of bacteria in N 2 O emissions from WWTPs between 2000 and 2023 based on an analysis of the Web of Science Core Collection Database using keywords “bacteria”, “nitrous oxide”, “emission”, and “wastewater treatment plant”. The findings reveal substantial research growth in the past decade, with leading publications appearing in Water Research , Bioresource Technology , and Environmental Science & Technology . China, the United States, and Australia have been the most active contributors to this field. Key topics include denitrification, wastewater treatment, and N 2 O emissions. The microbial community composition significantly influences N 2 O emissions in WWTPs, with bacterial consortia playing a pivotal role. However, further research is needed to explore strain-specific genes, enzyme expressions, and the differentiation of processes contributing to N 2 O production and emission. System design and operation must also consider dissolved oxygen and nitrite concentration factors. Advances in genomics and artificial intelligence are expected to enhance strategies for reducing N 2 O emissions in WWTPs.

Keywords: nitrous oxide; wastewater treatment plants; bacteria; emissions; denitrification; microbial community (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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