denitrifying bacteria
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denitrifying bacteria:
see nitrogen cyclenitrogen cycle,the continuous flow of nitrogen through the biosphere by the processes of nitrogen fixation, ammonification (decay), nitrification, and denitrification. Nitrogen is vital to all living matter, both plant and animal; it is an essential constituent of amino acids,
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The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Denitrifying Bacteria
bacteria that reduce nitrates to molecular nitrogen. Denitrifying bacteria include representatives of Pseudomonas, Achromobacter, Bacillus, and Micrococcus. All denitrifying bacteria are aerobes, and they can oxidize organic matter by means of atmospheric oxygen. However, when anaerobic conditions prevail, they use the oxygen of nitrates as an electron acceptor (“respiration by means of nitrates”). Denitrifying bacteria are grown on culture media with nitrates and an indicator that changes color when the nitrates are reduced. The bacteria are widespread in soil and in the water and soil of bodies of water.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
denitrifying bacteria
[dē′nī·trə‚fī·iŋ bak′tir·ē·ə] (microbiology)
Bacteria that reduce nitrates to nitrites or nitrogen gas; most are found in soil.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.