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High pH Inhibits Nitrifying Bacteria
Author(s) -
Hill Dennis R.,
Webster Terry
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.2008.tb02000.x
Subject(s) - nitrification , nitrifying bacteria , nitrosomonas europaea , nitrite , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , nitrosomonas , chemistry , ammonia , biology , nitrate , biochemistry , organic chemistry , nitrogen , genetics
This article discusses Des Moines Water Works' (DMWW) periodic testing and analysis of its system's nitrifying bacteria in order to determine if conversion to free chlorine was warranted. The DMWW microbiologist designed and implemented three procedures that enriched the organisms in an ammonia‐containing medium. The detection of nitrite as an end product in this medium was proof of growth and nitrification. The three procedures included the following: determining the pH sensitivity of an American Type Culture Collection strain of Nitrosomonas europaea (ATCC 25978); determining the presence of nitrifying bacteria in the rural distribution system of interest; and, assessing possible biofilms at one system site.