Nitro

Microbiological control

Nitrogen Cycle

Many different types of bacteria can metabolize nitrogen in some form. Certain types are involved in various reversible reactions which may form ammonia or oxidize nitrite corrosion inhibitors.

Ammonia formation will result in the selective attack of copper or copper-based construction materials.

The oxidation of nitrite renders it useless for corrosion control. Table below summarizes the various reactions and organisms of the nitrogen cycle.

Process	Reaction	Type of Organism	Conditions
Ammonification	Organic N -> NH4+	Numerous	Wide variety; 1 .5-1 .7% N
Nitrification	NH4+ -> N02-	Few; autotrophic	Aerobic
Nitrification	NH2- -> N03-	Few; autotrophic	Aerobic
Nitrate reduction	N03->N02->NH3	Numerous	Wide Variety
Nitrogen assimilation Nitrogen fixation	Combined N — > protein N2 gas -> combined N	All Few; heterotrophic	Wide Variety Both aerobic and anaerobic
Denitrification	N03 -^ N2	Generally heterotrophic	Anaerobic

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