Nitrification of Ammonia (Sulphate) by Means of Mixed Culture of Microorganisms: (Part I.)

L. Tomerlin, L. Dvoraček and V. Bešlić

Abstract
This paper discusses oxidation of ammonia-N from ammonium sulphate in a synthetic medium by means of mixed culture of microorganisms. The members of mixed culture were isolated from wastewaters from chemical and cellulose industry. Mixed culture of microorganisms was adapted on ammonium sulphate through period more than one year. After adaptation, 1.9 g L–1 of wet biomass was used in batch experiments. The glucose, 3-Na-citrate, Na–acetate or methanol was added as a source of carbon (C:N = 6:1), initial pH value was 5.5 or 7.5, and mass concentration of ammonium sulphate in synthetic medium was 0.2 g L–1 and 0.6 g L–1, respectively. Oxidation lasted 18 and 48 h and ambient temperature was 23 oC. Results of these experiments showed that initial mass concentration of ammonia-N had been changed and in the mean time accumulation of nitrate-N had slightly increased.

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Keywords
nitrification, ammonium sulphate, mixed culture of microorganisms, carbon source