Denitrification

During denitrification, nitrate (NO3-) is converted into nitrogen (N2) in the absence of oxygen by heterotrophic bacteria such as Pseudomonas. They use organic matter as an electron donor for this reduction reaction.

Organism Reaction equation
Pseudomonas 5 C6H12O6 + 24 NO3- ➔ 24 HCO3- + 6 CO2 + 18 H2O + 12 N2