Which of the following describes the conversion of ammonium to nitrate in the soil?

The conversion of ammonium to nitrate in the soil is known as nitrification. This process is a crucial part of the nitrogen cycle, which involves the transformation of nitrogen compounds through various biological and chemical processes.

Nitrification takes place in two main steps: first, ammonium (NH4+) is oxidized to nitrite (NO2−) by bacteria such as Nitrosomonas. Then, nitrite is subsequently oxidized to nitrate (NO3−) by other bacteria, such as Nitrobacter. Nitrate is a form of nitrogen that plants can readily absorb and utilize, making nitrification essential for soil fertility and plant nutrition.

Understanding nitrification is important for managing nutrient cycles in agricultural settings, as it helps ensure that nitrogen is available in a form that plants can use while also minimizing potential environmental impacts, such as nitrate leaching into water supplies.