What is the Difference Between Nitrification and Denitrification?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Nitrification and denitrification are two different stages involved in the biogeochemical process of the nitrogen cycle. Here are the key differences between the two processes:
- Definition: Nitrification is the biological process of oxidation of ammonia into nitrite, which is then followed by the oxidation of nitrite into nitrate. Denitrification, on the other hand, is the biological process of reduction of nitrate into nitrite, which is then followed by the reduction of nitrite into nitrogen gas.
- Reaction: The overall reaction of nitrification is: NH4+ → NO2– → NO3–. The overall reaction of denitrification is: 2 NO3− + 10 e− + 12 H+ → N2 + 6 H2O.
- Bacteria Involved: Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter are the bacteria responsible for nitrification. Lactobacillus, Spirillum, Pseudomonas, and Thiobacillus are the bacteria involved in denitrification.
- Mode of Respiration: Nitrification occurs through an aerobic mode of respiration. Denitrification occurs through an anaerobic mode of respiration.
- Mode of Nutrition: Nitrification is an autotrophic mode of nutrition. Denitrification is a heterotrophic mode of nutrition.
- By-products: The by-product of nitrification is nitrate (NO3–). The by-products of denitrification are nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O).
- Temperature and pH: Nitrification requires a minimum temperature between 16° and 35°C and an optimum pH between 6 and 8. Denitrification requires a minimum temperature between 26° and 38°C and an optimum pH between 6 and 8.
- Role in the Environment: Nitrification increases soil fertility as the soil absorbs nitrates. Denitrification, on the other hand, decreases soil fertility as the soil loses nitrates to the environment.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Nitrification and Denitrification? Comparative Table: Nitrification vs Denitrification
Comparative Table: Nitrification vs Denitrification
Here is a table comparing the differences between nitrification and denitrification:
Feature | Nitrification | Denitrification |
---|---|---|
Definition | Nitrification is a biological process of oxidation of ammonia into nitrite, which is then followed by the conversion of nitrite into nitrate (NO3–). | Denitrification is a biological process of reduction of nitrate into nitrite, which is then followed by the reduction of nitrite into nitrogen gas (N2). |
Reaction | The overall reaction of nitrification is: NH4+ → NO2– → NO3– | The overall reaction of denitrification is: 2 NO3− + 10 e− + 12 H+ → N2 + 6 H2O |
Process | Nitrification is a process of oxidation reactions. | Denitrification is a process consisting of reduction reactions. |
Nitrogen Cycle | Nitrification is the second step of the nitrogen cycle. | Denitrification is the last step of the nitrogen cycle. |
Involvement of Bacteria | Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria are involved in nitrification. | Lactobacillus, Spirillum, Pseudomonas, and Thiobacillus bacteria are involved in denitrification. |
Mode of Respiration | Aerobic mode of respiration (occurring in the presence of oxygen). | Anaerobic mode of respiration (occurring in the absence of oxygen). |
Mode of Nutrition | Chemoautotrophic nutrition (obtaining energy from chemical reactions). | Heterotrophic nutrition (obtaining energy from organic compounds). |
End Product | The end product of nitrification is nitrate (NO3–), which increases soil fertility. | The end products of denitrification are nitrogen gas (N2) and water (H2O), which are released into the atmosphere. |
Environment | Nitrification occurs in soils, freshwater, and marine systems. | Denitrification occurs in anaerobic environments, such as soils and sediments, and anoxic zones in lakes and oceans. |
Read more:
- Nitrifying vs Denitrifying Bacteria
- Nitrogen Fixation vs Nitrification
- Anammox vs Denitrification
- Nitrogen-fixing Bacteria vs Denitrifying Bacteria
- Nitrogen vs Nitrate
- Nitrate vs Nitrite
- Nitrite vs Nitrogen Dioxide
- Nitrogen Cycle vs Carbon Cycle
- Water Cycle vs Nitrogen Cycle
- Ammonia vs Ammonium Nitrate
- Symbiotic vs Nonsymbiotic Nitrogen Fixation
- Organic vs Inorganic Nitrogen
- Ammonia vs Ammoniacal Nitrogen
- Biodegradation vs Bioremediation
- Sodium Nitrate vs Sodium Nitrite
- Nitrogen vs Phosphorus
- Nitromethane vs Methyl Nitrite
- Ammonium Nitrate vs Urea
- Nitrosomonas vs Nitrobacter