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How do nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrates?

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A labeled diagram of a periodic table entry for nitrogen shows its atomic number 7, symbol N, electron configuration, atomic weight, and name. Symbols indicate nitrogen is a nonmetal gas at room temperature, has a hexagonal crystal structure, and strongly acidic higher-valence oxides. A key explains the diagram's icons and color coding.
nitrogen

Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia into nitrates through a two-step process mediated by two distinct groups of aerobic bacteria:1

  • Ammonia to Nitrites: The first group of bacteria, which includes Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosococcus, and Nitrosolobus, oxidizes ammonia into nitrites.1
  • Nitrites to Nitrates: A second group of bacteria, including Nitrobacter, Nitrospina, and Nitrococcus, then converts these nitritesā€”which are toxic to plantsā€”into nitrates.1

These microorganisms are essential to the nitrogen cycle, as they transform soil ammonia into nitrates, a form of nitrogen that can be readily utilized by plants.1