A closer look at the bacteriology of nitrification

The mineralizing ability of nitrifying bacteria is well known among aquaculturists, but the underlying bacteriology is abstruse. The proceeding literature review details sources of nitrogenous fish waste and peculiarities of the Nitrobacteraceae family, including survival mechanisms, frailties, and intrinsic kinetics. Fundamental catabolic and anabolic reactions are elucidated, as is the implication of reducing power allotment for respiratory efficiency. Attention is paid to the paramount role of nitrifiers in biofiltration and recommendations are made for future recirculating aquaculture research. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.