Robust ammonia oxidation by "Candidatus Nitrosacidococcus tergens" across a broad pH range

Acidophilic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) have only recently been discovered. These organisms hold great promise for acidic wastewater treatment; however, their physiology remains poorly understood compared to that of neutrophilic AOB. Here, we investigated the physiology of the acidophilic AOB "Candidatus Nitrosacidococcus tergens" sp. RJ19 across a broad pH range (2.5-7.0) using a specialized bioreactor system. We monitored nitrogen (N) transformations combined with microbial community composition and transcriptomic profiles, focusing on nitrogen metabolism and proton stress responses. Our results show that above pH 6.0, "Ca. Na. tergens" performs complete and stoichiometric conversion of ammonium to nitrite, coinciding with isotopic fractionation effects specific for ammonia oxidation and increased expression of key ammonia oxidation genes. The apparent absence of nirK and cycA did not impede ammonia oxidation, suggesting that these genes are non-essential in this context. Below pH 6.0, nitric oxide and nitrate accumulated, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) levels, although negligible compared to the other N-compounds, peaked near pH 4.0. Stable isotope analysis, including the site-specific ¹⁵N-enrichment at the inner (α) and outer (β) nitrogen positions of the N₂O molecule, indicated nitrifier-denitrification as the source of N₂O, supported by the highest norB expression at this pH. These findings provide new insights into the acid-tolerant physiology of "Ca. Na. tergens" and advance its potential application in engineered nitrogen removal systems under acidic conditions.

The world is facing a climate crisis intensified by human-driven nutrient pollution. Ammonia and the bacteria that oxidize it are central both to the global nitrogen cycle and to wastewater treatment. The acidophilic ammonia oxidizer "Candidatus Nitrosacidococcus tergens" was previously shown to oxidize ammonia under highly acidic conditions; however, a complete understanding of its metabolism is lacking. Our study now shows that "Ca. Na. tergens" performs canonical ammonia oxidation across a broad pH range. At pH values below 6, however, a combination of chemical and biological processes leads to the production of nitrate, nitric oxide, and the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide. In addition, we show that these bacteria adapt to proton stress through mechanisms beyond transcriptional mechanisms. Our study highlights the robust metabolism of acidophilic ammonia oxidizers and expands our understanding of nitrification under acidic conditions.