date:Dec 07, 2012
The potential of using organic catalysts to improve nitrification processes is promising due to the oxygen demand required for oxidation of ammonia to nitrate. Ammonia oxidizing bacteria (Nitrosomonas) obtain their energy by oxidizing ammonia nitrogen to nitrite nitrogen and the nitrite oxidizing bacteria (Nitrobacter) by oxidizing nitrite to nitrate nitrogen.
The oxygen demand for complete nitrification is high as nitrifiers are aerobic and adequate dissolved oxygen levels must be maintained t