A mathematical description of the behaviour of mixed chemostat cultures of an autotrophic nitrifier and a heterotrophic nitrifier/aerobic denitrifier; a comparison with experimental data

A general, unstructed mathematical model has been used to describe the behaviour of nutrient-limited growth of two bacteria in a continuous co-culture. The experimental system consisted of a two-membered mixed culture of the heterotrophic nitrifier/aerobic denitrifier, Thiosphaera pantotropha, and the autotrophic nitrifier, Nitrosomonas europaea, competing for ammonia in chemostat culture. The outcome of competition was only dependent on the Monod constants and the growth yields of the two bacteria. The model shows that both bacteria will oxidize equal amounts of ammonia when the cell ratio of T. pantotropha/N. europaea is 260.

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