In situ distribution and activity of nitrifying bacteria in freshwater sediment

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-2920.2003.00469.x
• Publication Date: 2003-08-13T08:55:00Z
• Authors: Dörte Altmann; Peter Stief; Rudolf Amann; Dirk De Beer; Andreas Schramm
• Keywords: Nitrospira; Nitrifying Bacteria

Summary Nitrification was investigated in a model freshwater sediment by the combined use of microsensors and fluorescence situ hybridization with rRNA‐targeted oligonucleotide probes. In nitrification activity restricted mainly to upper 2 mm coincided maximum abundance nitrifying bacteria, i.e. 1.5 × 10 7 cells cm −3 for ammonia‐oxidizing Beta‐proteobacteria (AOB) 8.6 Nitrospira ‐like nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Cell numbers AOB decreased more rapidly depth than NOB. For first time, could be quantified correlated nitrite oxidation rates sediment. Estimated cell‐specific were 1.2–2.7 fmol NO – cell −1 h .