NH3-oxidizing bacteria

As will be discussed further in this chapter, there is now much evidence to suggest that NO is an obligatory intermediate in the denitrification pathway. Furthermore, there is evidence that NH3 nitrifiers can synthesize the denitrification apparatus in addition to the nitrification apparatus and that the former system can produce NO and N2O (also N2 in at least one case) from nitrite under low partial pressures of O2. It is possible therefore that NO may be an intermediate in the denitrification activity of nitrifiers and so arise as a secondary consequence of NH3 oxidation. NO can also be ptoduced by nondenitrifying organisms under certain conditions. For example, NO can be slowly produced by the anaerobic reduction of nitrite, but only in absence of nitrate, by a variety of enteric bacteria. Some of the NO can be further reduced to N2O. 

Although most strains of NH3-oxidizing and N02 -oxidizing bacteria have characteristic intracytoplasmic membrane structures, which can be visualized by electron microsocopy, it is not possible to distinguish the otherwise nondescript cells from other bacteria and archaea in water samples using standard microscopic techniques for ceU enumeration, e.g., epifluorescence microscopy with DNA fluorochromes. 

When organics containing reduced nitrogen are degraded, they usually produce ammonium, which is in equilibrium with ammonia. As the pK for NH3 NH4" is 9.3, the ammonium ion is the primary form present in virtually all biological treatment systems, as they operate at pH < 8.5 and usually in the pH range of 6.5-7.5. In aerobic reactions, ammonium is oxidized by nitrifying bacteria (nitrosomonas) to nitrite... 

Trees and soils of forests act as sources of NH3 and oxides of nitrogen. Ammonia is formed in the soil by several types of bacteria and fungi. The volatilization of ammonia and its subsequent release to the atmosphere are dependent on temperature and the pH of the soil. Fertilizers are used as a tool in forest management. The volatilization of applied fertilizers may become a source of ammonia to the atmosphere, especially from the use of urea. 

Autotrophy A unique form of metabolism foimd only in bacteria. Inorganic compounds (e.g., NH3, N02-, S2, and Fe2+) are oxidized directly (without using sunlight) to yield energy. This metabolic mode also requires energy for C02 reduction, like photosynthesis, but no lipid-mediated processes are involved. This metabolic mode has also been called chemotrophy, chemoautotrophy, or chemolithotrophy. 

As bacteria die, ammonia is typically produced as a product of decomposition. Aerobic nitrifying bacteria such as Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter can oxidize ammonia (NH3) to nitrate (N03 ). As a result of this process, the pH of the system can be reduced. 

In localities where there is much sunshine, the proportion NH3 HN03 is less than in localities where there is less sunshine owing to the favourable influence of light on the oxidation of ammonia to the nitrate. The ammonium nitrate is formed in at least three ways (i) The putrefaction of organic matter followed by the oxidation of the ammonia (ii) the action of electric discharges on ammonia and water vapour and (iii) the action of nitrifying bacteria on ammoniacal compounds. 

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