Isn't that contrary to the laws of entropy? Going from a lower state to
a higher state? I will need to research this, since energy would be
required to un-oxidize nitrite. Any references?

Wayne Sallee wrote:
In an oxygen environment, bacteria converts ammonia into nitrite, and in
an oxygen environment bacteria converts nitrite into nitrate.

In a low oxygen environment bacteria converts nitrate into nitrite, and
in a low oxygen environment bacteria converts nitrite into nitrogen gas.

George Patterson wrote on 1/2/2007 11:33 PM:

Wayne Sallee wrote:

Actually it's converted to nitrites, and then the nitrite is
converted to nitrogen gas. So yes, incomplete denitrification can
convert nitrates into nitrites.


So, why do we get a conversion of nitrites to nitrates? Seems to me
that, once an organism develops that converts nitrites to nitrogen, it
would replace the bacteria that convert nitrites to nitrates.

Hey, maybe it does. I suppose you wouldn't really know what's going on
once all the levels are 0.

George Patterson
Forgive your enemies. But always remember who they are.