Question

How does nitrification occur in nature, starting from gaseous Nitrogen?​

Answer 1

Either through bacteria or lightning

Step-by-step explanation:

Nitrogen can be converted directly to nitrates through lightning.

It can also be converted to ammonia (NH3) through free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria e.g Azotobacter or fixed on plants by symbiotic micro-organisms e.g Rhizobium. The Ammonia formed is converted to Nitrites (NO2) by nitrifying bacteria e.g Nitrococcus bacteria. The Nitrites are converted to nitrates by other nitrifying bacteria e.g Nitrobactor

Answer 2

Nitrification. The conversion of ammonium to nitrate is performed primarily by soil-living bacteria and other nitrifying bacteria. In the primary stage of nitrification, the oxidation of ammonium ( NH+4) is performed by bacteria such as the Nitrosomonas species, which converts ammonia to nitrites ( NO−2).