SEROLOGICAL DETERMINATION OF NITROBACTER SPECIES IN A DEODORIZING GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON FILTER

Immunofluorescence is used to detect, to study species diversity and t o count the nitrifying bacteria in a deodorization system for air poll uted by ammonia. This process consists of the elimination of ammonia b y a biological filter packed with granular activated carbon seeded wit h activated sludge enriched in nitrifying bacteria. Four serotypes are used, to treat Nitrobacter strains Ag, LL, W and X14. The serotypes a re distributed in the same proportions throughout the filter, with the total bacteria count more concentrated near the gas source. This proc edure is attractive but the count obtained is incomplete because there is no serotype for the Nitrobacter genera nor correlation between ser otypes and genomic groups. Only serotypes prepared against isolated st rains are known. It would therefore be interesting in a future study t o isolate strains which have already colonized granular activated carb on for use in diversity studies. Another interesting avenue would be a total count of all Nitrobacter bacteria present.