Question

What is meant by nitrification and de- nitrification?

Answer 1

Nitrification is when the ammonia is converted back to nitrates. This process is done by soil living bacteria and other nitrifyingbacteria. Denitrification is when the nitrates are reduced back into the nitrogen gas atmosphere, which completes the nitrogen cycle.

Answer 2

Biogeochemical Cycles



Ammonification

Ammonification: This is a process where bacteria or other decomposers break down nitrogen-containing chemicals from waste or a dead body into simpler chemicals, such as ammonia.

Nitrification

Nitrification: This is the process where bacteria, if exposed to oxygen, is able to convert chemicals such as nitrogen, oxygen, nitrites and ammonia into nitrates that plants are able to use. The plants are able to take in nitrates from the soil. Lightning can also be used in nitrification. When lightning strikes, the energy fuses nitrogen gas and oxygen gas into nitrates. The nitrates then fall from the atmosphere onto the soil, which plants can use as well.

Denitrification

Denitrification: This process is opposite of nitrification. Bacteria not exposed to oxygen take in nitrates and break it down into nitrites, then into nitrogen gas. The nitrogen gas is released back into the atmosphere. This process is meant to balance out the process of nitrification and maintain a steady flow of nitrates, nitrites and nitrogen gas throughout the entire nitrogen cycle.



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