title: Estimation of nitrifying bacterial activities by measuring oxygen uptake in the presence of the metabolic inhibitors allylthiourea and azide
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centre International de Recherche sur l'Eau et l'Environment-Lyonnaise des Eaux, Le Pecq, France.
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ginestet
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Audic
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Urbain
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Block