Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Nitrification”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Acetylene reduction (dinitrogen fixation) and nitrification in soil as affected by the structural aggregate size.

The effect of size of structural aggregates on the intensity of nitrification and nitrogenase (nitrogen: acetylene oxidoreductase) activity was investigated in three soils. In two of them the nitrogenase activity was limited by addition of glucose. Aggregates of a larger diameter (2-4 mm) exhibited a considerably higher nitrogenase activity than those with a diameter smaller than 2 mm. This effect was even more pronounced when the soil samples were repeatedly intensively aerated. On the contrary, smaller aggregates (0.5-2 mm) exhibited more intensive nitrification.

Acetylene↗
PubMed1998

High rate of aerobic nitrification and denitrification by Nitrosomonas eutropha grown in a fermentor with complete biomass retention in the presence of gaseous NO2 or NO.

A pure culture of the obligately lithoautotrophic ammonia-oxidizer Nitrosomonas eutropha was grown in a laboratory-scale bioreactor with complete biomass retention. The air supply was supplemented with nitrogen dioxide (NO2; 25 or 50 ppm) or nitric oxide (NO; 25 or 50 ppm). Compared to cultures grown without these nitrogenous oxides, the addition of NO2 or NO to the culture resulted in a significant increase of the nitrification rate, specific activity of ammonia oxidation, growth rate, and maximum cell densities. In contrast, the growth yield slightly decreased in the presence of NO or NO2. Maximum cell densities of about 2 x 10(10) cells ml-1 and a maximum nitrification rate of about 221 mmol NH4+ l-1 day-1 were obtained after 3 weeks in the presence of 50 ppm NO2. Furthermore, in the stationary phase about 50% of the nitrite produced was aerobically denitrified to dinitrogen (N2) and traces of nitrous oxide (N2O). When cells were supplemented with NO, a high rate of aerobic denitrification occurred only during the first days of the exponential growth phase.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1999

Construction of a highly bioluminescent Nitrosomonas as a probe for nitrification conditions.

Cloned luciferase-encoding operons were transferred by conjugation to a natural isolate of the ammonia-oxidizing bacterial strain Nitrosomonas sp. RST41-3, thereby establishing conjugation as a tool for gene transfer into Nitrosomonas strains. Luminescence was dependent on the pH of the medium and the concentration of the substrate ammonium chloride. Moreover, the luminescence of the transconjugants was reduced immediately by micromolar concentrations of nitrapyrin and allylthiourea, which are specific inhibitors of nitrification. Our results indicate that luminescent Nitrosomonas strains may be useful as a probe to detect nitrification conditions in the natural environment as well as in sewage plants.

Ammonium Chloride↗
PubMed2002

Effect of carbon dioxide on nitrification rates.

Lab-scale ideal mixed, aerated reactors were employed to test the influence of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) on the growth rate of a nitrifier community. The buffer medium used did not contain any carbon sources. Reactors were inoculated alternatively with sludge from a nitrifying membrane assisted bioreactor, reflecting autotrophic material, or with sludge from a plant having denitrification and nitrification steps, which reflects mixed heterotrophic and autotrophic material. CO(2) was added as a gas with the intake air supply. Nitrification rates were related to the CO(2) in the intake air as well as to the total inorganic carbon in the medium. The batch experiments show a relationship between CO(2) concentration and growth rate. The optimum growth rate occurred at 5 mg CO(2)/L, corresponding to 0.4% (V/V) CO(2) in the inlet air. Different CO(2) optima for autotrophic and mixed sludges were found. In the case of the autotrophic sludge, the observed optimum growth rate was about 0.47/d and the optimum for the mixed sludge was about 0.75/d. Higher CO(2) concentrations lead to a decreasing growth rate. The first part of the kinetic graph can be described by Monod kinetics. Overall, the resulting graph can be described by Haldane kinetics.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Evaluating the effects of gross nitrogen mineralization, immobilization, and nitrification on nitrogen fertilizer availability in soil experimentally contaminated with diesel.

Sandy clay loam soil was contaminated with 5000 mg kg(-1) diesel, and amended with nitrogen (15.98 atom% (15)N) at 0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg kg(-1) to determine gross rates of nitrogen transformations during diesel biodegradation at varying soil water potentials. The observed water potential values were -0.20, -0.47, -0.85, and -1.50 MPa in the 0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg kg(-1) nitrogen treatments respectively. Highest microbial respiration occurred in the lowest nitrogen treatment suggesting an inhibitory osmotic effect from higher rates of nitrogen application. Microbial respiration rates of 185, 169, 131, and 116 mg O(2) kg(-1) soil day(-1) were observed in the 250, 500, control and 1000 mg kg(-1) nitrogen treatments, respectively. Gross nitrification was inversely related to water potential with rates of 0.2, 0.04, and 0.004 mg N kg(-1) soil day(-1) in the 250, 500, and 1000 mg kg(-1) nitrogen treatments, respectively. Reduction in water potential did not inhibit gross nitrogen immobilization or mineralization, with respective immobilization rates of 2.2, 1.8, and 1.8 mg N kg(-1) soil day(-1), and mineralization rates of 0.5, 0.3, and 0.3 mg N kg(-1) soil day(-1) in the 1000, 500, and 250 mg kg(-1) nitrogen treatments, respectively. Based on nitrogen transformation rates, the duration of fertilizer contribution to the inorganic nitrogen pool was estimated at 0.9, 1.9, and 3.2 years in the 250, 500, and 1000 mg kg(-1) nitrogen treatments, respectively. The estimation was conservative as ammonium fixation, gross nitrogen immobilization, and nitrification were considered losses of fertilizer with only gross mineralization of organic nitrogen contributing to the most active portion of the nitrogen pool.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1993

Purification of hydroxylamine oxidase from Thiosphaera pantotropha. Identification of electron acceptors that couple heterotrophic nitrification to aerobic denitrification.

Thiosphaera pantotropha, a Gram-negative heterotrophic nitrifying bacterium, expresses a soluble 20 kDa monomeric periplasmic hydroxylamine oxidase that differs markedly from the hydroxylamine oxidase found in autotrophic bacteria. This enzyme can use the periplasmic redox proteins, cytochrome c551 and pseudoazurin as electron acceptors, both of which can also donate electrons to denitrification enzymes. A model of electron transfer is proposed, that suggests a coupling of nitrification and provides a mechanism by which nitrification can play a role in dissipating reductant.

Electron Transport↗
PubMed2007

Evaluation of nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate on nitrogen leaching in undisturbed soil columns.

The application of nitrogen fertilizers leads to various ecological problems such as nitrate leaching. The use of nitrification inhibitors (NI) as nitrate leaching retardants is a proposal that has been suggested for inclusion in regulations in many countries. In this study, the efficacy of the new NI, 3,4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate (DMPP), was tested under simulated high-risk leaching situations in two types of undisturbed soil columns. The results showed that the accumulative leaching losses of soil nitrate under treatment of urea with 1.0% DMPP, from columns of silt loam soil and heavy clay soil, were 66.8% and 69.5% lower than those soil columns tested with regular urea application within the 60 days observation, respectively. However, the losses of ammonium leaching were reversely increased 9.7% and 6.7% under the former treatment than the latter one. Application of regular urea with 1.0% DMPP addition can reduce about 59.3%-63.1% of total losses of inorganic nitrogen via leaching. The application of DMPP to urea had stimulated the inhibition effects of DMPP on the ammonium nitrification process in the soil up to 60 days. It is proposed that the DMPP could be used as an effective NI to control inorganic N leaching losses, minimizing the risk of nitrate pollution in shallow groundwater.

Fertilizers↗
PubMed2004

Nitrification and occurrence of salt-tolerant nitrifying bacteria in the Negev desert soils.

Ammonia oxidation potential, major ammonia oxidizers and occurrence of salt-tolerant nitrifying bacteria were studied in soil samples collected from diverse ecosystems along the northern Negev desert. Great diversity in ammonia oxidation potential was observed among the soil samples, and ammonia oxidizers were the rate-limiting step of nitrification. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and partial 16S rRNA gene sequences indicate that members of the genus Nitrosospira are the major ammonia oxidizers in the natural desert soil samples. Upon enrichment with different salt concentrations, salt-tolerant nitrifying enrichments were established from several soil samples. In two enrichments, nitrification was not inhibited by 400 mM NaCl. Electrophoretic analysis and partial 16S rRNA gene sequences indicate that Nitrosomonas species were dominant in the 400 mM salt enrichment. The results point towards the potential of the desert ecosystem as a source of stress-tolerant nitrifying bacteria or other microorganisms with important properties.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2005

Nitrification performance and microbial community dynamics in a submerged membrane bioreactor with complete sludge retention.

A submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR) supplied with inorganic ammonium-bearing wastewater (NH(4)(+)-N, 500 mgl(-1)) was operated for 260 days without sludge purge under decreased hydraulic retention times (HRT) through six steps (from 30 to 5h). Almost complete nitrification was obtained at a volumetric loading rate (VLR)1.2g NH(4)(+)-Nl(-1)day(-1). The sludge nitrification activities were evaluated at each stage. The specific ammonium oxidizing rate (SAOR) decreased from the initial 0.45 to 0.15 kg NH(4)(+)-Nkg(-1)MLSSday(-1) in the last four stages, while the specific nitrate forming rate (SNFR) increased from 0.17 to 0.39 kg NO(3)(-)-Nkg(-1)MLSSday(-1) at the third stage, and then decreased to below 0.1 kg NO(3)(-)-Nkg(-1)MLSSday(-1) from the fourth stage. Microbial population dynamics was investigated by a combination of the MPN method, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and quinone profiles. During the experiment, although the MLSS increased gradually from 4.5 to 11.5 gl(-1), the number of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) decreased from 10(9)l(-1) at the third stage to 10(7)l(-1) in the last two stages, and that of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) decreased gradually from 10(8)l(-1) at the second stage (HRT of 20 h) to the final 10(5)l(-1). FISH results showed that the active cells decreased gradually with time from about 60 to 20% in the last two stages, and most of sludge was inert cells. The sum of nitrifiers occupied only about 10% of the total bacteria number in the last stage even though only ammonium-bearing inorganic wastewater was fed in. Nitrosomonas sp. and Nitrospira sp. were confirmed by FISH as the dominant nitrifying genera responsible for ammonia and nitrite oxidation, respectively. In the mean time, a small ratio of Nitrobacter sp. also existed in the system. FISH analysis matched better with the batch activity test results than did the MPN techniques. Quinone profiles revealed that the dominant ubiquinone was ubiquinone-8 (UQ-8), ranging from 84 to 66%, followed by UQ-10 of 7-13%, UQ-7 of 3-5% and UQ-9 of 1.6-2.6%. The dominant menaquinone in the MBR was menaquinone-7 (MK-7) followed by MK-6, MK-8 and MK-8 (H(2)). With the prolongation of operation, the percentage of menaquinones increased from 8 to 14%. The use of the polyphasic approach gave some new insight on variations of microbial community structures.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of nitrification inhibition by metals in batch and continuous flow reactors.

Stringent effluent discharge limits for nitrogen require development of assays to accurately and rapidly determine whether a wastewater stream will inhibit nitrification. The suitability of a short-term extant batch respirometric assay to predict nitrification inhibition by metals (Cu, Zn, Ni and Cd) in continuous flow reactors was evaluated. Linear metal partition coefficients were determined to be 78.42+/-2.46, 0.54+/-0.04, 0.05+/-0.01 and 0.60+/-0.01 L/g biomass COD in batch experiments (pH=7.5) for Cu, Zn, Ni and Cd, respectively. A mass-balance model, incorporating metal partitioning, adequately fit the metal concentration profiles in the continuous flow reactor during and after a 24-hour shock load. However, the short-term batch assays significantly underestimated observed inhibition in the continuous flow reactor. The underestimation was, most likely, due to slow kinetics of Zn, Ni and Cd internalization and an exacerbation effect due to continued metal exposure in the continuous flow reactor. The discrepancy in inhibition between batch and continuous systems was the largest for Cu, presumably due to its unique mode of action, which involves loss of cell membrane integrity. Hence, using results from short-term batch respirometric assays to infer responses in continuous flow reactors with longer exposure should be done with caution and must accommodate partitioning behavior and internalization kinetics.

Bioreactors↗
PubMed2005

Organic carbon removal and nitrification of high strength wastewaters using stratified sand filters.

The current practice of spray irrigation of dairy parlour wastewaters is laborious and time consuming. Intermittent sand filtration systems may offer an alternative to spray irrigation when designed to remove organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, coliforms and viruses from such wastewaters to allow discharge of the final effluent directly into receiving waters without damage to the environment. In this study two instrumented stratified sand filter columns (0.425 and 0.9 m deep, and both 0.3 m in diameter) were intermittently loaded for 439 days with synthetic dairy parlour washings at a number of hydraulic and organic loading rates. At a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) loading of 22 g m(-2) d(-1), over 92% of the BOD and suspended solids in the wastewater was removed in the two filters and nitrification was complete. The 0.9 m column had a sustained ability to adsorb the influent phosphorus during the study period; however, the phosphorus adsorption capacity of the 0.425 m column began to decrease after approximately 30 days. Biomass, comprising hydrated extracellular polymers (exopolymers) and living and dead cells, accumulated in the 0.9 m column; it was assessed by sodium bromide tracer studies and by variations in the sand volumetric water contents using time domain reflectometry (TDR). The biomass growth increased the retention time of the wastewater in the filter media, and occurred mainly at the top of the first sand layer. Intermittent stratified sand filters appear to offer an effective and sustainable treatment process for the removal of BOD from high-strength wastewaters, and for the complete nitrification of ammonium.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2006

Piggery wastewater treatment using Alcaligenes faecalis strain No. 4 with heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification.

Alcaligenes faecalis strain No. 4, which has heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification abilities, was used to treat actual piggery wastewater containing high-strength ammonium under aerobic conditions. In a continuous experiment using a solids-free wastewater (SFW) mixed with feces, almost all of the 2000 NH4+ -N mg/L and 12,000 COD mg/L in the wastewater was removed and the ammonium removal rate was approximately 30 mg-N/L/h, which was 5-10 times higher than the rates achieved by other bacteria with the same abilities. The denitrification ratio was more than 65% of removed NH4+ -N, indicating that strain No. 4 exhibited its heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification abilities in the piggery wastewater.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed2006

Inorganic carbon limitations on nitrification: experimental assessment and modelling.

Nitrification is a two-step process that involves two different biomass populations: ammonia oxidising biomass (AOB) and nitrite oxidising biomass (NOB). Both populations are autotrophic (i.e. their carbon source is inorganic). Therefore, a deficit of this substrate should result in a decrease of the process rate. Recent technology advances such as the SHARON process have brought new scenarios in biological nitrogen removal where these limitations should be considered. Hence, this work examines the inorganic carbon limitation using respirometric and titrimetric techniques. For this aim, the nitrification rate was measured at different total inorganic carbon (TIC) concentrations. The experimental results obtained show that AOB was limited at TIC concentrations lower than 3mmol CL(-1). At the same time, no carbon source limitation for NOB was observed in spite of the low TIC concentrations attained (lower than 0.1mmol CL(-1)). The AOB limitation could be successfully modelled using Monod, Tessier and sigmoidal kinetics. The best fit was obtained with sigmoidal kinetics. However, unexpected biomass activity (oxygen consumption) was observed despite a very low TIC concentration (lower than 0.1mmol CL(-1)).

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1998

A microbial sensor for detecting inhibitors of nitrification in wastewater.

A biosensor for rapid and reproducible measurements of inhibitors of nitrification in environmental samples has been developed. The biosensor is mainly designed to be used for wastewater control and consists of a Clark oxygen probe as a transducer and an immobilised mixed nitrifying culture as the microbial component. The measuring principle is based on the direct determination of bacterial metabolic activity by measuring the oxygen consumption rate of the microbial immobilisate. Both the prototype of a laboratory device and a field device have been realised. The laboratory device can be used to determine the nitrification inhibiting effect of individual chemical compounds as well as of environmental samples. The field device was constructed for on-line monitoring of inhibitors in sewage systems.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2004

Applying the Nernst equation to simulate redox potential variations for biological nitrification and denitrification processes.

In this paper, various forms of Nernst equations have been developed based on the real stoichiometric relationship of biological nitrification and denitrification reactions. Instead of using the Nernst equation based on a one-to-one stoichiometric relation for the oxidizing and the reducing species, the basic Nernst equation is modified into slightly different forms. Each is suitable for simulating the redox potential (ORP) variation of a specific biological nitrification or denitrification process. Using the data published in the literature, the validity of these developed Nernst equations has been verified by close fits of the measured ORP data with the calculated ORP curve. The simulation results also indicate that if the biological process is simulated using an incorrect form of Nernst equation, the calculated ORP curve will not fit the measured data. Using these Nernst equations, the ORP value that corresponds to a predetermined degree of completion for the biochemical reaction can be calculated. Thus, these Nernst equations will enable a more efficient on-line control of the biological process.

Bioreactors↗
PubMed2001

Some furfural derivatives as nitrification inhibitors.

Three series of furfural derivatives, namely N-O-furfural oxime ethers, furfural Schiff bases (furfurylidene anilines), and furfural chalcones, have been synthesized and evaluated for nitrification inhibition activity in laboratory incubation studies in typic Ustocrept soil. Furfural oxime ethers and furfural Schiff bases showed potential activity, but furfural chalcones were only mildly active. N-O-ethyl furfural oxime among the oxime ethers, and furfurylidine-4-chloroaniline among the furfural Schiff bases, performed the best. These two compounds showed more than 50% nitrification inhibition on the 45th day at 5% dose as compared to 73% inhibition by nitrapyrin. Activity of furfural oxime ethers decreased with an increase in carbon atoms in the N-O-alkyl side chain. Introduction of a chlorine atom in the phenyl ring of furfurylidene anilines increased the persistence of their activity. N-O-Ethyl furfural oxime and furfurylidine-4-chloroaniline coated urea performed at par with their application in solution form. Ethyl and N-O-isopropyl oxime, as well as chloro- and nitro- substituted Schiff bases, did not reveal any phytotoxicity (adverse effect on germination) on chickpea seeds (Cicer arietinum) even at the highest dose (40 ppm, soil basis).

Chalcone↗
PubMed2000

Nitrification inhibitors from the roots of Leucaena leucocephala.

The nitrification inhibition (NI) bioassay guided fractionation of the methanol extract of lyophilized and milled roots of Leuceana leucocephala resulted in the isolation of four compounds, 1-4, as confirmed from their 1H and 13C NMR spectral data. Compound 1, gallocatechin, was the most active NI inhibitor at 12 microg/mL. Epigallocatechin, 2, and epicatechin, 4, isolated as mixtures, were not assayed individually for their NI inhibitory activities against the nitrification bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea.

Catechin↗
PubMed2003

Nitrification in a zeoponic substrate.

Clinoptilolite is a zeolite mineral with high cation exchange capacity used in zeoponic substrates that have been proposed as a solid medium for growing plants or as a fertilizer material. The kinetics of nitrification has not been measured for NH4+ saturated zeoponic substrate. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the production of NO2- and NO3-, and nitrifier populations in zeoponic substrates. Small columns were filled with zeoponic substrate inoculated with a commercial inoculum or soil enrichment culture of nitrifying bacteria. In addition to column studies, a growth chamber study was conducted to evaluate the kinetics of nitrification in zeoponic substrates used to grow radishes (Raphanus sativus L.). The zeoponic substrate provided a readily available source of NH4+, and nitrifying bacteria were active in the substrate. Ammonium oxidation rates in column studies ranged from 5 to 10 micrograms N g-1 substrate h-1, and NO2- oxidation rates were 2 to 9.5 micrograms N g-1 substrate h-1. Rates determined from the growth chamber study were approximately 1.2 micrograms N g-1 substrate h-1. Quantities of NH4+ oxidized to NO2- and NO3- in inoculated zeoponic substrate were in excess of plant up-take. Acidification as a result of NH4+ oxidation resulted in a pH decline, and the zeoponic substrate showed limited buffering capacity.

Bacteria↗