No nitrification in lakes below pH 3.

Christina Jeschke1, Carmen Falagán, Kay Knöller

  • 1UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research , Department of Catchment Hydrology, Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4, D-06120 Halle, Germany.

Summary

Nitrification, the process converting ammonium to nitrate, was measured in acidic and neutral mine pit lakes. This vital microbial process was only detected in neutral lakes, indicating acidity inhibits nitrification.

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