BRAINCAKENitrification
Nitrification is the conversion of ammonium ions (NH4+) into nitrate ions (NO3−) by nitrifying bacteria. It happens in two steps, each carried out by a different group of bacteria:
NH4+ → NO2− → NO3−
1. Ammonium ions are oxidised to nitrite ions (NO2−), for example by Nitrosomonas.
2. Nitrite ions are oxidised to nitrate ions, for example by Nitrobacter.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
More in Nutrient Cycles
- Role of Saprobionts
- The Nitrogen Cycle
- Nitrogen Fixation
- Ammonification
- Denitrification
- The Phosphorus Cycle
- Mycorrhizae
- Natural and Artificial Fertilisers
All 13 lessons in Nutrient Cycles · All AQA A-level Biology topics