What occurs during nitrification?

Nitrification is a crucial process in the nitrogen cycle, where specific bacteria play a significant role in transforming nitrogen forms in the environment. The process begins with nitrifying bacteria converting ammonium, a form of nitrogen that comes from the decomposition of organic matter, into nitrite, and then further into nitrate. This conversion is vital because plants can readily absorb nitrate as a nutrient, making it an essential part of their growth and development.

The first part of nitrification involves bacteria such as Nitrosomonas, which oxidize ammonium to nitrite. Following that, another group of bacteria, typically Nitrobacter, further oxidizes the nitrite to nitrate. This sequential conversion not only facilitates the uptake of nitrogen by plants but also helps in managing nitrogen availability in ecosystems. Understanding the nitrification process highlights its significance in soil health, agriculture, and overall ecological balance.

The other options describe different aspects of the nitrogen cycle or ecological processes but do not pertain to the specific conversion steps that characterize nitrification.