title: Characterization of a microbial community capable of nitrification at cold temperature.
abstract: While the oxidation of ammonia is an integral component of advanced aerobic livestock wastewater treatment, the rate of nitrification by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria is drastically reduced at colder temperatures. In this study we report an acclimated lagoon nitrifying sludge that is capable of high rates of nitrification at temperatures from 5 degrees C (11.2mg N/g MLVSS/h) to 20 degrees C (40.4 mg N/g MLVSS/h). The composition of the microbial community present in the nitrifying sludge was investigated by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. After DNA extraction and the creation of a plasmid library, 153 partial length 16S rRNA gene clones were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically. Over 80% of these clones were affiliated with the Proteobacteria, and grouped with the beta- (114 clones), gamma- (7 clones), and alpha-classes (2 clones). The remaining clones were affiliated with the Acidobacteria (1 clone), Actinobacteria (8 clones), Bacteroidetes (16 clones), and Verrucomicrobia (5 clones). The majority of the clones belonged to the genus Nitrosomonas, while other clones affiliated with microorganisms previously identified as having floc forming or psychrotolerance characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 2611 West Lucas Street, Florence, SC 29501, USA. thomas.ducey@ars.usda.gov
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Ducey
authors.forename: Matias B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Vanotti
authors.forename: Anthony D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Shriner
authors.forename: Ariel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Szogi
authors.forename: Aprel Q
authors.initials: AQ
authors.lastname: Ellison
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001483:Base Sequence; D003080:Cold Temperature; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D008372:Manure; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D008372:Manure; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D000641:Ammonia