Describe the steps involved in nitrification with suitable reactions and names of microbes.
GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer
Nitrification is the oxidation of ammonium nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen through a two-step microbial process:
Step 1: Ammonia → Nitrite
Catalyzed by Nitrosomonas and/or Nitrococcus:
2NH₃ + 3O₂ → 2NO₂⁻ + 2H⁺ + 2H₂O + Energy
Step 2: Nitrite → Nitrate
Catalyzed by Nitrobacter and/or Nitrocystis:
2NO₂⁻ + O₂ → 2NO₃⁻ + Energy
The energy released during these oxidation reactions is utilized by chemoautotrophic bacteria for synthesizing organic compounds.
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