Research Trends of Carbon Sources in Denitrification: A Bibliometric Analysis During 2012–2022

The heterotrophic denitrification process requires the carbon sources to act as an electron donor. An external carbon source is required to increase denitrification efficiency when there aren’t enough organic carbon sources already present in the system. We used the bibliometric method to conduct a statistical study of the papers on carbon sources in denitrification from 2012 to 2022 using the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. An in-depth examination of the publication features of 2765 articles published between 2012 and 2022 found that the number of articles published on carbon sources in denitrification expanded fast, with China having the most publications (1419), followed by the USA (308). While the research on carbon sources in denitrification has primarily focused on nitrous oxide and the microbial community, the research trend has changed from ethanol, methane, membrane bioreactor to partial denitrification, solid-phase denitrification and aerobic granular sludge over the past ten years. The conclusions reached offer recommendations for further study into the use of carbon sources in denitrification and can help to avoid needless duplication of research in this area.