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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.
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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...
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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.
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The emergence of nitrification during DOM processing by marine microbial assemblages.

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Area of Science:

  • Marine microbial ecology
  • Biogeochemical cycles

Background:

  • Dissolved organic matter (DOM) degradation and nitrification are key ocean processes.
  • The interplay between DOM, ammonium, and nitrate dynamics is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms driving the succession of DOM degradation and nitrification in marine environments.
  • To understand the competitive interactions between heterotrophic bacteria and nitrifiers.

Main Methods:

  • Two DOM degradation experiments using natural marine microbial communities and microalgal-derived DOM.
  • Monitoring of DOM, ammonium, and nitrate concentrations over 150 days.
  • Numerical simulations to model microbial community dynamics.

Main Results:

  • Observed ammonium consumption and nitrate increase after 150 days of DOM degradation.
  • Nitrifying prokaryote abundance increased as labile DOM decreased.
  • Simulations showed nitrifier dominance with increasing DOM recalcitrance.

Conclusions:

  • Nitrification emergence is linked to carbon limitation and shifts in microbial competition.
  • Heterotrophic bacteria initially dominate DOM degradation, but nitrifiers gain advantage as DOM becomes recalcitrant.
  • This study clarifies the feedback loops between DOM cycling and nitrification in the ocean.