Effect of culture conditions on the competitive interaction between lactate oxidizers and fermenters in a biological sulfate reduction system

► Lactate used as substrate for microbial growth in sulfate reducing condition. ► Microbial growth parameters (μs and Ks) determined from experimental data. ► μs and Ks incorporated into mathematical models to predict microbial competition. ► Increasing lactate concentration leads to the predominance of lactate fermentation. ► Decreasing lactate concentration leads to the predominance of lactate oxidation.