Decomposition/Ammonification:
- Process where ammonium ions are produced from ammonium containing compouds such as urea.
- Dead plant and animal waste contains nitrogenous waste.
- Over time, these wastes decay and ammonia is released.
- Nitrifying bacteria convert the ammonia to nitrates.
- Some of the nitrates are taken up by the plants and used again (nitrification).
- Some of the nitrates go through the process denitrification.
Denitrification:
- Denitrifying bacteria convert the nitrates back into atmospheric nitrogen which goes back to the atmosphere.
Nitrogen fixation = Nitrogen gas --> Ammonia (Nitrogen-fixing bacteria e.g. Rhizobium)
Nitrification = Ammonia --> Nitrites --> Nitrates (Nitrifying bacteria - Nitrosomonas/Nitrobacter)
Ammonification/Decomposition = Decay and produce ammonia (-->Nitrification/Denitrification)
Denitrification = Nitrates -> Atmospheric nitrogen (Denitrifying bacteria)
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