Estimation of nitrifying bacterial activities by measuring oxygen uptake in the presence of the metabolic inhibitors allylthiourea and azide
The effects of two metabolic inhibitors on an enriched nitrifying biomass during incubation for short periods of time were investigated by determining respirometric measurements. Allylthiourea (86 &mgr;M) and azide (24 &mgr;M) were shown to be strong, selective inhibitors of ammonia and nitrite oxidation, respectively. Consequently, a differential respirometry method for estimating nitrifying and heterotrophic bacterial activities within a mixed biomass is proposed.
Ginestet
P
Centre International de Recherche sur l'Eau et l'Environment-Lyonnaise des Eaux, Le Pecq, France.
Audic
JM
Urbain
V
Block
JC