Definitions for "Nitrifying bacteria"
bacteria that can reduce the level of ammonia by converting it to other substances
NI-tri-fy-ing bac-TEAR-e-a Bacteria that convert ammonia in dead organisms into nitrites and nitrates, which other organisms can use. 865
Nitrosomonas spp. oxidize ammonia, converting it into nitrite, while Nitrobacter spp. oxidize nitrite into nitrate. These bacteria, however, do not remove nitrate, phosphates or other undesirable elements such as silicates and heavy metals like copper and lead.