Nitrosopumilus
Encyclopedia
Nitrosopumilus maritimus is an extremely common archaeon living in seawater. It is the first member of the Group 1a Crenarchaeota to be isolated in pure culture. Gene sequences suggest that the Group 1a Crenarchaeota are ubiquitous with the oligotrophic surface ocean and can be found in most non-coastal marine waters around the planet. It is one of the smallest living organisms at 0.2 micrometers in diameter. It lives by oxidizing ammonia
to nitrite
. N. maritimus is capable of oxidizing ammonia at levels as low as 10 nanomolar, near the limit to sustain its life. This organism was isolated from sediment in a tropical tank at the Seattle Aquarium
by the group of David Stahl (University of Washington) .
In taxonomy
, Candidatus Nitrosopumilus is a genus of the Nitrosopumilaceae
.
Ammonia
Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula . It is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent odour. Ammonia contributes significantly to the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms by serving as a precursor to food and fertilizers. Ammonia, either directly or...
to nitrite
Nitrite
The nitrite ion has the chemical formula NO2−. The anion is symmetric with equal N-O bond lengths and a O-N-O bond angle of ca. 120°. On protonation the unstable weak acid nitrous acid is produced. Nitrite can be oxidised or reduced, with product somewhat dependent on the oxidizing/reducing agent...
. N. maritimus is capable of oxidizing ammonia at levels as low as 10 nanomolar, near the limit to sustain its life. This organism was isolated from sediment in a tropical tank at the Seattle Aquarium
Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium is a public aquarium opened in 1977 and located on Pier 59 on the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle, Washington, USA. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums .-History:...
by the group of David Stahl (University of Washington) .
In taxonomy
Alpha taxonomy
Alpha taxonomy is the discipline concerned with finding, describing and naming species of living or fossil organisms. This field is supported by institutions holding collections of these organisms, with relevant data, carefully curated: such institutes include natural history museums, herbaria and...
, Candidatus Nitrosopumilus is a genus of the Nitrosopumilaceae
Nitrosopumilaceae
In taxonomy, the Nitrosopumilaceae are a family of the Nitrosopumilales.-External links:...
.