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Conversion of ammonia to dinitrogen in wastewater by Nitrosomonas europaea

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Abstract

Because Nitrosomonas europaea contains ammonia-oxidizing enzyme, nitrite reductase, and nitrous oxide reductase, the conversion of ammonia to dinitrogen was tried with different reaction conditions. In aerobic reaction conditions, ammonium was converted to nitrite (NO 2 ), while under oxygen-limiting or oxygen-free conditions, NO 2 -N formed from ammonia oxidation by N. europaea was reduced to N2O and dinitrogen with 22% conversion. During denitrification, optimal pH for the production of N2O and dinitrogen was found to be 7.0–8.0. Dinitrogen was not produced in acidic pH<7.0. A low partial oxygen pressure as well as oxygen-free conditions are favorable for high production of dinitrogen.

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Correspondence to Ichiro Okura.

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Shrestha, N.K., Hadano, S., Kamachi, T. et al. Conversion of ammonia to dinitrogen in wastewater by Nitrosomonas europaea . Appl Biochem Biotechnol 90, 221–232 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:90:3:221

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:90:3:221

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