The Contribution of Nitrate Dissimilation to Nitrate Consumption in narG - and napA -Containing Nitrate Reducers with Various Oxygen and Nitrate Supplies

Nitrate reducers containing narG or napA are ubiquitous, but little is known about their functional performance in various environments. Our study provides an important clue that the nitrate consumption of narG -containing strains is mainly caused by dissimilatory reduction in the environments, while that of napA -containing nitrate reducers under anaerobic conditions is ascribed to nitrate dissimilation but under the aerobic condition is attributed to the assimilation by cell growth.