ammonification

(noun)

The formation of ammonia or its compounds from nitrogenous compounds, especially as a result of bacterial decomposition.

Related Terms

Examples of ammonification in the following topics:

  • The Nitrogen Cycle

    • This process occurs in three steps in terrestrial systems: ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.
    • First, the ammonification process converts nitrogenous waste from living animals or from the remains of dead animals into ammonium (NH4+) by certain bacteria and fungi.
    • A similar process occurs in the marine nitrogen cycle, where the ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification processes are performed by marine bacteria.

  • The Nitrogen Cycle

    • Ammonification/Mineralization: In ammonification, bacteria or fungi convert the organic nitrogen from dead organisms back into ammonium (NH4+).

  • The Role of Prokaryotes in Ecosystems

    • Another source of ammonia is ammonification, the process by which ammonia is released during the decomposition of nitrogen-containing organic compounds.