Denitrification has long been regarded as the only pathway for terrestrial nitrogen (N) loss to the atmosphere. Here we demonstrate that large-scale anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), an overlooked N loss process alternative to denitrification which bypasses nitrous oxide (N2O), is ubiquitous in inland waters of China and contributes significantly to N loss. Anammox rates in aquatic systems show different levels (1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAmmonia oxidation is the first step in nitrification and was thought to be performed solely by specialized bacteria. The discovery of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) changed this view. We examined the large scale and spatio-temporal occurrence, abundance and role of AOA throughout Chinese inland waters (n = 28).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Microbiol Rep
December 2015
Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) widely occurs in marine ecosystems, and it plays an important role in the global nitrogen cycle. But in freshwater ecosystems its occurrence, distribution and contribution, especially in extreme environments, are still not well known. In this study, anammox process was investigated in some extreme environments of freshwater ecosystems, such as those with high (above 75°C) and low (below -35°C) temperature, high (pH > 8) and low (pH < 4) pH and eutrophy (the concentration of NH4 (+) -N > 300 mg kg(-1) ).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe discovery of denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation with nitrite as electron acceptor mediated by 'Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera' connected the biogeochemical carbon and nitrogen cycle in a new way. However, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding about the distribution of M. oxyfera-like bacteria in the terrestrial realm, especially the wetland ecosystems that are known as the largest natural source of atmospheric methane.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe discovery of nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-damo) mediated by 'Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera' with nitrite and methane as substrates has connected biogeochemical carbon and nitrogen cycles in a new way. The paddy fields often carry substantial methane and nitrate, thus may be a favorable habitat for n-damo bacteria. In this paper, the vertical-temporal molecular fingerprints of M.
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