Inhibition of perchlorate reduction by nitrate in a fixed biofilm reactor

The effect of nitrate on chloride generation by suspensions of perchlorate-reducing populations was studied using a chloride ion probe. The rate of reduction of 2 mM perchlorate decreased by 30% in the presence of 2 mM nitrate when excess acetate was added. When acetate was limited, perchlorate reduction decreased by 70% in the presence of equi-molar nitrate.