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Missing lithotroph identified as new planctomycete

Author

Listed:
  • Marc Strous

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • John A. Fuerst

    (University of Queensland)

  • Evelien H. M. Kramer

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • Susanne Logemann

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • Gerard Muyzer

    (Netherlands Institute for Sea Research)

  • Katinka T. van de Pas-Schoonen

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • Richard Webb

    (University of Queensland)

  • J. Gijs Kuenen

    (Delft University of Technology)

  • Mike S. M. Jetten

    (Delft University of Technology)

Abstract

With the increased use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, many densely populated countries face environmental problems associated with high ammonia emissions. The process of anaerobic ammonia oxidation (‘anammox’) is one of the most innovative technological advances in the removal of ammonia nitrogen from waste water1,2. This new process combines ammonia and nitrite directly into dinitrogen gas3. Until now, bacteria capable of anaerobically oxidizing ammonia had never been found and were known as “lithotrophs missing from nature”4. Here we report the discovery of this missing lithotroph and its identification as a new, autotrophic member of the order Planctomycetales, one of the major distinct divisions of the Bacteria5. The new planctomycete grows extremely slowly, dividing only once every two weeks. At present, it cannot be cultivated by conventional microbiological techniques. The identification of this bacterium as the one responsible for anaerobic oxidation of ammonia makes an important contribution to the problem of unculturability.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Strous & John A. Fuerst & Evelien H. M. Kramer & Susanne Logemann & Gerard Muyzer & Katinka T. van de Pas-Schoonen & Richard Webb & J. Gijs Kuenen & Mike S. M. Jetten, 1999. "Missing lithotroph identified as new planctomycete," Nature, Nature, vol. 400(6743), pages 446-449, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:400:y:1999:i:6743:d:10.1038_22749
    DOI: 10.1038/22749
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    Cited by:

    1. Shuanglei Huang & Daishe Wu, 2021. "Start-up Strategies for Anaerobic Ammonia Oxidation (Anammox) in In-Situ Nitrogen Removal from Polluted Groundwater in Rare Earth Mining Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Liana Kemmou & Elisavet Amanatidou, 2023. "Factors Affecting Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plants—A Review," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-26, September.
    3. Ping Han & Xiufeng Tang & Hanna Koch & Xiyang Dong & Lijun Hou & Danhe Wang & Qian Zhao & Zhe Li & Min Liu & Sebastian Lücker & Guitao Shi, 2024. "Unveiling unique microbial nitrogen cycling and nitrification driver in coastal Antarctica," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Yuan Wei & Yue Jin & Wenjie Zhang, 2020. "Domestic Sewage Treatment Using a One-Stage ANAMMOX Process," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-14, May.
    5. Tsung-Yueh Tsai & Wen-Yun Chen, 2022. "The Effect of Up-Flow Rate on the Nitrogen Treatment Efficiency and Sludge Characteristics of ANAMMOX Process with Up-Flow Anaerobic Sludge Bed Reactor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Lin Li & Yaqi You & Krishna Pagilla, 2020. "Density-Based Separation of Microbial Functional Groups in Activated Sludge," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-16, January.

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