Introduction

Water pollution as a result of nitrogen contamination is a worldwide problem. Nitrogen is

known to be detrimental to public health and the environment (Gijzen and Mulder, 2001).

For instance, ammonia can cause eutrophication and oxygen depletion in the receiving

water; this may result in proliferation of aquatic weeds and massive fish kills. Other effects

of nitrogen pollution include underground water pollution (Laegreid et al., 1999; Zhu et al.,

2005), blue-baby syndrome in infants (Bulger et al., 1989) and the emission of gasses

contributing to the greenhouse effect (Takaya et al., 2003).