Denitrators

NO3 is not split into N2 and O2 it is broken down enzymatically into N2
and H2O.

No, it's not. The oxygen is removed by bacteria, releasing the nitrogen.


The oxygens are removed from NO3- and released to the 'system' in the form
of H2O not O2 as you stated earlier. This should give you a clue: Why
would anaerobic bacteria that thrive in low O2 environments produce O2?
Don't you think this would be counter productive to there survival?

I will write this again for the umpteen time. This process is called
DENITRIFICATION. It is an enzymatic process that converts NO3- into H2O and
N2 (O2 is NOT produced). The process involves anaerobic bacteria that
contain the enzyme nitrate reductase (among others involved in
denitrification).


O2 is NOT produced.