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    • Rights: University of Waikato
    Published 3 December 2016 Referencing Hub media
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    Denitrification1 is a microbial2 process where microorganisms3 use nitrate4, which is a form of nitrogen5 that is biologically available, and they convert it through back to nitrogen gas. So it is essentially the completion of the nitrogen cycle6. In some ways, it’s the opposite to nitrogen fixation7. So nitrogen fixation takes nitrogen gas out of the atmosphere8 and makes it biologically available, whereas denitrification converts that nitrogen back out of the soil back to nitrogen gas, completing the nitrogen cycle.

    Acknowledgement
    Professor Louis Schipper, University of Waikato

    1. denitrification: Part of the nitrogen cycle. A process where bacteria in soil breaks down nitrates into atmospheric nitrogen gas.
    2. microbial: Anything of, or related to microorganisms.
    3. microorganism: A living organism which is too small to be seen with the naked eye and can only be observed using a microscope. Includes bacteria and most protists.
    4. nitrate: A chemical composed of three oxygen atoms for every nitrogen atom.
    5. nitrogen: A non-metal – symbol N, atomic number 7. Nitrogen is essential for life. It is a component of many molecules that make up cells, including DNA and proteins.
    6. nitrogen cycle: The process by which nitrogen passes through the ecosystem.
    7. fixation: The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (dinitrogen gas, N2) to forms that can be used by plants and animals to carry out many of the functions of life.
    8. atmosphere: 1. The layer of gas around the Earth. 2. (atm) A non-SI unit of pressure equivalent to 101.325 kPa.

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    The terrestrial nitrogen cycle

    An interactive showing the main components of the terrestrial nitrogen cycle. Select one of the buttons to find out more.

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      denitrification

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      2. Part of the nitrogen cycle. A process where bacteria in soil breaks down nitrates into atmospheric nitrogen gas.

      nitrate

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      3. A chemical composed of three oxygen atoms for every nitrogen atom.

      fixation

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      4. The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen (dinitrogen gas, N2) to forms that can be used by plants and animals to carry out many of the functions of life.

      microbial

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      5. Anything of, or related to microorganisms.

      nitrogen

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      6. A non-metal – symbol N, atomic number 7. Nitrogen is essential for life. It is a component of many molecules that make up cells, including DNA and proteins.

      atmosphere

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      7. 1. The layer of gas around the Earth.

      2. (atm) A non-SI unit of pressure equivalent to 101.325 kPa.

      microorganism

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      8. A living organism which is too small to be seen with the naked eye and can only be observed using a microscope. Includes bacteria and most protists.

      nitrogen cycle

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      9. The process by which nitrogen passes through the ecosystem.

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