Nitrification is the biological oxidation of ammonia to nitrate via the intermediary nitrite. Nitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle in soil. The process of complete nitrification may occur through separate organisms[1] or entirely within one organism, as in comammox bacteria. The transformation of ammonia to nitrite is usually the rate limiting step of nitrification. Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea.
- ^ Nitrification Network. "Nitrification primer". nitrificationnetwork.org. Oregon State University. Archived from the original on 2 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2014.