The diagram shows the waterlogged field, with nitrogen gas escaping from the soil. A waterlogged, poorly drained field loses nitrogen as nitrogen gas escape...
Question 1 Report
The diagram shows the waterlogged field, with nitrogen gas escaping from the soil.
A waterlogged, poorly drained field loses nitrogen as nitrogen gas escapes from the soil into the atmosphere. Which group of bacteria is responsible for this loss?
Answer Details
When soil becomes waterlogged it runs short of oxygen, and these low-oxygen conditions favour denitrifying bacteria. They break down soil nitrates and release nitrogen gas, which escapes into the atmosphere; this is the only step that removes usable nitrogen from the soil. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria do the reverse (gas to compounds), nitrifying bacteria turn ammonium into nitrate, and decomposers break down dead matter, so none of those cause the loss of nitrogen gas. This is why farmers prefer well-drained soil, to keep denitrification low.
Download The App On Google Playstore
Everything you need to excel in your exams
