What is denitrification in the nitrogen cycle?

Prepare for the Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Enhance your understanding and boost your confidence before the test!

Denitrification is a crucial process in the nitrogen cycle where nitrate, a form of nitrogen readily used by plants, is converted into nitrogen gas (N₂) which is then released into the atmosphere. This biological process typically occurs in anaerobic conditions—environments lacking oxygen—where specific bacteria, such as Pseudomonas and Bacillus species, thrive.

Through denitrification, excess nitrates in the soil are reduced, helping to prevent the leaching of nitrogen into waterways, which can lead to problems like eutrophication. This step is vital for maintaining the balance of nitrogen in the ecosystem, as it completes the nitrogen cycle by returning atmospheric nitrogen back to the environment where it can eventually be reintroduced into the soil through nitrogen-fixing processes.

In contrast, the other choices describe different nitrogen cycle processes. The conversion of nitrogen gas to nitrate describes nitrogen fixation, while nitrogen absorption by plants refers to uptake, and detoxification of ammonia in the soil pertains to ammonification. Each of these processes serves a distinct role in the nitrogen cycle, but denitrification specifically addresses the reduction of nitrate back to nitrogen gas.

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