10.6: Nitrogen Cycle
- Page ID
- 14692
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The nitrogen in humus and other organic materials released by microbes during the decay process can undergo several transformations in the soil. The ammonium (NH4+) is oxidized by Nitrosomonas to nitrite (NO2-) and is further oxidized by Nitrobacter to nitrate (NO3-). These two ions can be immobilized by plants and soil microorganisms or be changed in the nitrogen cycle.