Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology (한국미생물·생명공학회)
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Selective Inhibition of Ammonia Oxidation and Nitrite Oxidation Linked to $N_2O$ Emission with Activated Sludge and Enriched Nitrifiers

  • Ali, Toor Umair (Department of Environmental Sciences and Biotechnology, Hallym University) ;
  • Kim, Minwook (Department of Environmental Sciences and Biotechnology, Hallym University) ;
  • Kim, Dong-Jin (Department of Environmental Sciences and Biotechnology, Hallym University)
  • Received : 2013.02.08
  • Accepted : 2013.03.13
  • Published : 2013.05.28
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Abstract

Nitrification in wastewater treatment emits a significant amount of nitrous oxide ($N_2O$), which is one of the major greenhouse gases. However, the actual mechanism or metabolic pathway is still largely unknown. Selective nitrification inhibitors were used to determine the nitrification steps responsible for $N_2O$ emission with activated sludge and enriched nitrifiers. Allylthiourea (86 ${\mu}M$) completely inhibited ammonia oxidation and $N_2O$ emission both in activated sludge and enriched nitrifiers. Sodium azide (24 ${\mu}M$) selectively inhibited nitrite oxidation and it led to more $N_2O$ emission than the control experiment both in activated sludge and enriched nitrifiers. The inhibition tests showed that $N_2O$ emission was mainly related to the activity of ammonia oxidizers in aerobic condition, and the inhibition of ammonia monooxygenase completely blocked $N_2O$ emission. On the other hand, $N_2O$ emission increased significantly as the nitrogen flux from nitrite to nitrate was blocked by the selective inhibition of nitrite oxidation.

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References

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