Role of nitrogen oxides in the metabolism of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria

Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) can use oxygen and nitrite as electron acceptors. Nitrite reduction by Nitrosomonas is observed under three conditions: (i) hydrogen-dependent denitrification, (ii) anoxic ammonia oxidation with nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and (iii) NO_x-induced aerobic ammonia oxidation. NO_x molecules play an important role in the conversion of ammonia and nitrite by AOB. Absence of nitric oxide (NO), which is generally detectable during ammonia oxidation, severely impairs ammonia oxidation by AOB. The lag phase of recovery of aerobic ammonia oxidation was significantly reduced by NO₂ addition. Acetylene inhibition tests showed that NO₂-dependent and oxygen-dependent ammonia oxidation can be distinguished. Addition of NO_x increased specific activity of ammonia oxidation, growth rate and denitrification capacity. Together, these findings resulted in a hypothetical model on the role of NO_x in ammonia oxidation: the NO_x cycle.