The kinetics of nitrogen on surface water of a lotic environment (doi:10.4136/ambi-agua.159) (Portuguese)

Abstract

The temporal transformation processes (ammonification and nitrification) of surface water nitrogen in the Meia Ponte River, Goias, Brazil, were quantified. Variability in the high- and low-flow periods, from June to November and from December to May, respectively, was measured. Kinetic assays and microbiological monitoring were carried out with water samples collected from the river in the urban part of the municipality of Goiânia, using modified jar test equipment. The concentrations of different forms of nitrogen, temperature, pH and nitrifying bacteria (NMP/100 mL) were monitored. Under these conditions, in the high-flow periods there were (1) an increase in nitritation; (2) a decrease in the concentration of total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite and Nitrosomonas (NMP/100 mL). In the low-flow periods there were (1) a decrease in nitritation; (2) an increase in the concentration of nitrite and Nitrosomonas (NMP/100 mL).