A Unifying Kinetic Model of Denitrification

A novel unifying kinetic model of the sequential reduction of nitrogen oxides by denitrifying microorganisms is proposed. Its mathematical structure is based on an analogy between the organization of the cell membrane electron transport chain and an electric circuit. The resulting kinetic model is simple enough to be of practical use as both an interpretative and a predictive tool. Furthermore, previous attempts to develop unifying models of dentrification (predicting the accumulation of any number of intermediates) are briefly reviewed and compared with the one hereby proposed. The model is validated with experimental data reported elsewhere, for nitrite accumulation byPseudomonas fluorescensand nitrite and nitrous oxide accumulation byParacoccus dentrificans.