PPT Slide
Denitrification
2 general chemical pathways
(1) Facultatively anaerobic bacteria using NO3 as an electron acceptor in the metabolism of organic carbon. Includes species in Psuedomonas, Escherischia, Achromobacter, Bacillius, Micrococcus:
C6H12 O6 + 12 NO3- ® 12NO2- + 6 CO2 + 6 H20 + energy
&
C6H12 O6 + 8 NO2- ® 4N2 + 2 CO2 + 4CO3-- + 6 H20 + energy
(2) Sulfur metabolizing bacteria like Thiobacillus denitrificans
Also can be important contributors to denitrification under anaerobic conditions:
5S + 6 KNO3 + 2 H20® 3 N2 + K2SO4 +4KHSO4
&
5Na2S2O3 + 8 KNO3 + 2NaHCO3 ® 6 Na2SO4 + 2 CO2 + 4 K2SO4 +HOH + 4 N2