Characterization of Bacillus species occurring anaerobic denitrification in night soil treatment

Bacillus species predominantly outgrown in a night soil treatment system were isolated and characterized. Cell interactions took place among them and cell population changed under various culture conditions. Maximum removal of $NH_4\;^+-N$ and cell production occurred under the conditions of 30% DO and C/N ratio of 8. Additions of 0.8% peptone and 0.3% yeast extract to a basal medium influenced the growth of isolates and the removal of $NH_4\;^+-N$ in flask culture, and metal ions such as Ca, Fe and Mg also did. During the flask experiment of nitrogen removal under an aerobic condition, active nitrification by the isolates occurred largely in 1 h with the decrease of COD and alkalinity destructed was only 74.6% of theoretical value. From the nitrogen balance, the percentage of nitrogen lost in the flask culture was estimated to be 29.0%. This conversion of ammonia to $N_2$ under an aerobic condition was confirmed by GC analysis. The B3 process using the Bacillus species seemed to have some economic advantage.