What do these terms mean in the nitrogen cycle: denitrification, nitrogen fixation, lightning, bacteria, and nitrates?

1 Answer
G_Ozdilek
Oct 10, 2017

Here they are:

Explanation:

Denitrification: A biochemical process in which nitrates are reduced to ammonia or nitrogen gas (in the atmosphere the most abundant gas) by bacterial activity

Nitrogen fixation: The process of converting inorganic, molecular nitrogen in the atmosphere to ammonia or nitrate.

Lightning: Lightning oxidizes nitrogen, producing nitric oxide. In nature, essentially all other conversions of molecular nitrogen to biologically useful forms are conducted by bacteria.

Bacteria: Unicellular or filamentous microorganisms lacking chlorophyll, vital to pollution control because they occur in decaying (decomposing) matter in air, on the land, and in the oceans, and assist in the decaying process. An image of them attached below.

Nitrates: #NO_3# Nitrate is an inorganic compound composed of one atom of nitrogen (N) and three atoms of oxygen (O); the chemical symbol for nitrate is #NO_3#. Nitrate is not normally dangerous for the health unless it is reduced to nitrite (#NO_2#).

Read more: https://www.lenntech.com/processes/nitrates/nitrates/nitrate.htm#ixzz4v5yJ2L5D

Sciencephoto.com

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