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Related Concept Videos

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme nitrate reductase...
Microbes and the Nitrogen Cycle01:26

Microbes and the Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is a complex biogeochemical process critical to maintaining the balance of nitrogenous compounds in ecosystems. This cycle involves multiple microbial-mediated transformations through which nitrogen changes oxidation states, supporting essential ecological functions and contributing to plant and microbial growth.Nitrogen Fixation and AmmonificationNitrogen fixation initiates the cycle by converting inert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into bioavailable ammonia (NH₃), a process...
Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of  ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or  nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this nitrogen...
Microbial Mats01:25

Microbial Mats

Microbial communities forming biofilms and mats represent complex, spatially structured ecosystems where metabolic processes are stratified according to light, oxygen, and nutrient gradients. Biofilms are initial colonization stages, only a few millimeters thick, while mature microbial mats can reach centimeter-scale thickness and display intricate vertical organization. Their structural and functional heterogeneity allows microorganisms to occupy distinct ecological niches within a few...
Microbial Wastewater Treatment01:30

Microbial Wastewater Treatment

Microbial communities in aquatic ecosystems play a key role in the natural breakdown of contaminants introduced through domestic and industrial effluents. Acting as biological catalysts, these microbes change and mineralize a wide range of organic and inorganic pollutants under different redox conditions.In oxygen-rich surface waters, aerobic heterotrophs lead organic matter breakdown, using oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor to efficiently oxidize substrates to carbon dioxide and water.
Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water01:30

Biological Treatment of Effluent and Waste Water

Biological wastewater treatment relies on the metabolic activity of microorganisms to remove pollutants from sewage. In modern treatment systems, this process is organized into sequential stages that progressively reduce solid material, dissolved organic matter, and microbial contamination. Each stage plays a distinct role in improving water quality and preparing the effluent for safe discharge or reuse.Primary and Secondary TreatmentPrimary treatment is a physical process that removes large...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors
07:59

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors

Published on: December 6, 2018

Biological denitrification in a fluidized bed.

N K Narjari1, K C Khilar, S P Mahajan

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, Bombay 400 076.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|December 1, 1984
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Superficial velocity significantly impacts nitrate removal and biofilm growth in fluidized bed reactors. Heterogeneous catalysis analysis accurately models the denitrification process, aligning well with experimental data.

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A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
08:13

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities

Published on: December 25, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors
07:59

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors

Published on: December 6, 2018

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
08:05

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Published on: October 7, 2020

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
08:13

A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities

Published on: December 25, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Nitrate contamination poses environmental risks, necessitating efficient removal methods.
  • Fluidized bed biofilm reactors (FBBRs) offer a promising approach for biological wastewater treatment.
  • Understanding operational parameters like superficial velocity is crucial for optimizing FBBR performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of superficial velocity on nitrate removal efficiency in an FBBR.
  • To assess the impact of superficial velocity on biofilm development and growth.
  • To model the denitrification process using heterogeneous catalysis principles.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a fluidized bed biofilm reactor with sand as the carrier particle.
  • Systematically varied superficial velocity to observe its effects.
  • Employed heterogeneous catalysis analysis to model the denitrification kinetics.
  • Compared model predictions with experimental measurements.

Main Results:

  • Superficial velocity was identified as a significant factor affecting both nitrate removal rates and biofilm accumulation.
  • Increased superficial velocity generally enhanced nitrate removal up to an optimal point.
  • Biofilm growth was also influenced by superficial velocity, with distinct patterns observed.
  • The heterogeneous catalysis model showed good agreement with experimental data during both startup and steady-state phases.

Conclusions:

  • Superficial velocity is a critical operational parameter for optimizing FBBRs for nitrate removal.
  • The heterogeneous catalysis model provides a valid framework for understanding and predicting denitrification in FBBRs.
  • Effective biofilm management through velocity control is key to achieving high treatment efficiency.