Why does nitrification need two different types of bacteria?
Answers
Answer:
Nitrification is the process by which ammonia is converted to nitrites (NO2-) and then nitrates (NO3-). This process naturally occurs in the environment, where it is carried out by specialized bacteria.
Ammonia
Ammonia is produced by the breakdown of organic sources of nitrogen. Nitrogen is the fourth most abundant element in living things, being a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. Municipal wastewaters contain large amounts of organic wastes, so the wastewater will have a high ammonia concentration. With this high concentration of ammonia, the wastewater would harm downstream ecosystems if released. Ammonia is toxic to aquatic life at these concentrations, and the the nitrification process requires oxygen (ammonia contributes to the BOD of the wastewater) so it will use up the oxygen needed by other organisms. It is desirable transform the ammonia as part of the waste treatment process, where aeration and other conditions, such as temperature can be controlled.
Explanation:
The nitrification process requires the mediation of two distinct groups:
- bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite and bacteria that convert nitrites to nitrates