Effect of the dilution rate on microbial competition: r-strategist can win over k-strategist at low substrate concentration - Fig 1

<p>A) Comparison between measured ratios (qpcr results) of <i>Nitrobacter</i>/<i>Nitrospira</i> in terms of their functional genes (NrxbNb/ NrxBNsp) (◌) and 16SDNA (◊) and corresponding simulation result at a hydraulic retention time of 1.7 days (corresponding to μmax of 0.58d^-1; red dashed line). The experiment and the simulation were based on an inoculation ratio of (0.75:0.25). B) Influence of the dilution rate on the ratios of <i>Nitrobacter</i>/<i>Nitrospira</i> Nb: (Nsp+Nb). C) Corresponding substrate concentration to biomass profile at given dilution rate. All graphs were determined for constant parameter values for <i>Nitrospira</i> (μ_max = 0.67d^-1, K_s = 0.21 mgNO₂-N l^-1) and <i>Nitrobacter</i> (μ_max = 1d^-1, K_s = 1.5mgNO₂-N l^-1).