Question

Bacteria (Pseudomonas and Clostridium) use nitrates in the soil to carry out respiration and consequently produce nitrogen gas. This process is called ___ .

• A. Nitrification
• B. Denitrification
• C. Ammonification
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Denitrification

Denitrification is the reduction of nitrates back into the largely inert nitrogen gas $\left(N_2\right)$. Biological denitrification is an anaerobic respiration reaction in which nitrate $\left(N{O}_3\right)$ is reduced. This process is carried out by facultative heterotrophic bacteria (Pseudomonas and Clostridium).