Question

nitrification
30 grams of ammonia (nh₃), nitrite (no₂⁻), and nitrate (no₃⁻) are added to a soil sample.
predict whether these concentrations would increase, decrease, or stay the same if nitrite - nitrifying bacteria were added to the sample.
nitrite - nitrifying bacteria
ammonia (nh₃)
nitrites (no₂⁻)
nitrates (no₃⁻)

Explanation:

Step1: Understand nitrification process

Nitrite - nitrifying bacteria convert nitrite ($NO_2^-$) to nitrate ($NO_3^-$). They do not act on ammonia ($NH_3$).

Step2: Analyze ammonia

Ammonia is not affected by nitrite - nitrifying bacteria, so its concentration stays the same.

Step3: Analyze nitrite

Nitrite - nitrifying bacteria consume nitrite to produce nitrate, so nitrite concentration decreases.

Step4: Analyze nitrate

Since nitrite is converted to nitrate by nitrite - nitrifying bacteria, nitrate concentration increases.

Answer:

Ammonia ($NH_3$): Stay the same
Nitrites ($NO_2^-$): Decrease
Nitrates ($NO_3^-$): Increase