Nitrification capability
Nitrification capability means the capability of a POTW treatment system to oxidize ammonia or ammonium salts initially to nitrites (viaNitrosomonasbacteria) and subsequently to nitrates (viaNitrobacterbacteria). Criteria for determining the nitrification capability of a POTW treatment system are: bioassays confirming the presence of nitrifying bacteria; and analyses of the nitrogen balance demonstrating a reduction in the concentration of ammonia or ammonium salts and an increase in the concentrations of nitrites and nitrates.