How does the rate of nitrification change?

Nitrification is the biological process in which ammonia is oxidized to nitrite and then to nitrate by nitrifying bacteria. The rate of nitrification is influenced by a variety of factors, including temperature, pH, and organic loading.

When organic loadings increase, there is more substrate available for the bacteria involved in nitrification. This can lead to an increased proliferation of these bacteria, as they have more resources to grow and metabolize. In a healthy system, higher organic loadings typically provide the necessary nutrients that stimulate the activity of nitrifying organisms, thus increasing the rate of nitrification.

While it is important to maintain balanced conditions, including appropriate pH and temperature, the relationship between organic loading and the rate of nitrification is often direct and positive under optimal conditions. Higher organic loading, when not excessively overwhelming to the system, can enhance the metabolic activity of nitrifying bacteria, leading to increased rates of nitrification.

In the context of the other choices, lower pH can inhibit nitrification because most nitrifying bacteria require a neutral to slightly alkaline environment for optimal activity. Decreased temperature generally slows biological processes, including nitrification, as bacteria become less active. Furthermore, the rate of nitrification does not remain constant under varying conditions