Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025
08:13
A Novel Bioreactor for High Density Cultivation of Diverse Microbial Communities
Published on: December 25, 2015
17.2K
A novel Nitrospira lineage isolated from activated sludge using elevated temperatures.
Sabine Keuter1, Hanna Koch2, Boris Nowka1
1Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany.
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|April 21, 2023
Summary
A novel thermophilic bacterium, Nitrospira tepida, was discovered in wastewater treatment plants. This finding is significant for optimizing wastewater treatment processes at higher temperatures and reduced aeration.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Wastewater Treatment
Background:
- Nitrospira are key nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).
- Several Nitrospira strains have been isolated from activated sludge.
- Understanding Nitrospira diversity is crucial for effective biological nutrient removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize novel Nitrospira species from WWTPs.
- To investigate the ecological role and physiological capabilities of newly discovered Nitrospira.
- To explore potential applications in optimizing wastewater treatment.
Main Methods:
- Isolation using a pre-enrichment strategy with alternating nitrifying and denitrifying conditions.
- Incubation at elevated temperatures (37–45°C).
- Genomic and physiological analyses, including tolerance to nitrite and nitrate, and kinetic analysis (Km value for nitrite).
Main Results:
- A novel, moderately thermophilic Nitrospira species, Nitrospira tepida, was isolated.
- N. tepida forms a distinct lineage (VII) within the Nitrospira genus.
- Genomic and physiological data revealed niche differentiation from other isolates.
- N. tepida tolerates high nitrite (20 mM) and nitrate (40 mM) concentrations, with a Km for nitrite of 77 ± 26 µM.
- Optimal growth occurs between 37 and 45°C.
Conclusions:
- Nitrospira tepida represents a novel lineage well-adapted to thermophilic conditions and limited aeration in WWTPs.
- This discovery offers potential for enhancing biological wastewater treatment efficiency and reducing operational costs.
- Niche differentiation among Nitrospira species highlights the complexity of microbial communities in WWTPs.
More Related Videos
07:56Author Spotlight: Unraveling the Mysteries of Terrestrial Anaerobic Microorganisms in Uncharted Environments by In Situ Culturing
Published on: January 12, 2024
974
08:05Measurement 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
6.2K
Related Concept Videos
01:21Hyperthermophilic Bacteria
38
Domain Bacteria includes some unique hyperthermophilic species. They exhibit remarkable adaptations that enable survival in extreme environments.Thermotoga species are rod-shaped, gram-negative, non-sporulating hyperthermophiles that form a sheath-like envelope called a toga. They ferment sugars or starch, producing lactate, acetate, CO₂, and H₂, and can also grow via anaerobic respiration using H₂ and ferric iron. Found in hot springs and hydrothermal vents, over 20% of their...
38
01:27Diversity of Archaea III
35
Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like...
35
01:28Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria
76
Anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria are a diverse group of microorganisms that perform photosynthesis without producing oxygen. They primarily include purple sulfur bacteria, purple nonsulfur bacteria, green sulfur bacteria, and green nonsulfur bacteria. These bacteria are classified into the Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Chlorobi, and Chloroflexi lineages, each with distinct physiological and ecological adaptations.Purple sulfur bacteria belong to the...
76
01:22Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation
51
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...
51
01:15Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
60
Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.
60
01:202° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2
4.4K
Secondary amines react with nitrous acid to form N-nitrosamines, as depicted in Figure 1. Nitrous acid, a weak and unstable acid, is formed in situ from an aqueous solution of sodium nitrite and strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, in cold conditions. In the presence of an acid, the nitrous acid gets protonated. The subsequent loss of water results in the formation of the electrophile known as nitrosonium ion.
4.4K