Nitrification on a coral reef.
We report that the algal pavement just behind the reef crest at Enewetak Atoll produces nitrate at measurable rates. In situ and in vitro incubations with N-Serve indicate that the autotrophic pathway involving two separate organisms is effective in this oxidation of ammonia to nitrate. Significant nitrification is indicated throughout the reef environment; Nitrobacter agilis has specifically been identified as at least one of the organisms responsible for the terminal oxidation of nitrite to nitrate.
D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000378:metabolism; D008027:Light; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D009576:Nitrobacter / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014871:Water Microbiology
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D000641:Ammonia; D009584:Nitrogen