Collaborative Research: Mediation of Denitrification by Algal/bacterial Interactions in Stream Periphyton: Role of Successional Development and Species Identity.

这项研究的主要目标涉及通过细菌介导的反硝化过程从溪流水中去除硝酸盐 (NO3)，其中 NO3 转化为无生物活性的氮气。 具体来说，这项工作研究了被称为生物膜的藻类和细菌膜中的反硝化过程。 这项研究将调查溪流和河流中的生物膜何时对去除硝酸盐具有重要意义，其有效性如何随藻类和细菌物种组成和物种多样性而变化，以及在什么条件下生物膜去除硝酸盐的效果最大化。 通过农业径流和化石燃料燃烧产物的大气沉积，溶解氮进入水生系统的量在上个世纪急剧增加。 地下水中硝酸盐 (NO3) 含量高会带来严重的健康风险，从河流排放到海洋中的 NO3 负荷升高会导致沿海地区“死亡区”的形成。 因此，了解细菌调节和清除硝酸盐的过程非常重要。

The main goals of this research involve removal of nitrate (NO3) from stream water in a bacterially mediated process called denitrification where NO3 is converted to biologically inactive nitrogen gas. Specifically, the work investigates this denitrification process in films of algae and bacteria referred to as biofilms. This research will investigate when biofilms in streams and rivers are of significance in removing nitrates, how the effectiveness varies with the algal and bacterial species composition and species diversity, and under what conditions the nitrate removal by biofilm is maximized. Input of dissolved nitrogen into aquatic systems, via agricultural runoff and atmospheric deposition of products of fossil-fuel combustion, has increased dramatically over the last century. High nitrate (NO3) content in groundwater poses significant health risks, and elevated NO3 loads discharged into the ocean from rivers are implicated in the formation of ''''dead zones'''' in coastal areas. Thus, understanding the process of this nitrate regulation and removal by bacteria is highly important.