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Ammonification | Definition, types and Functions

Ammonification | Definition, types, and functions

Ammonification Definition

What is Ammonification: It is a process that decomposes organic materials into ammonia. Ammonia produces nitrogen gas when combined with nitrate ions. Ammonia is essential because it can be used as fertilizer for plants and crops, resulting in vegetation growth as food sources for animals. It is a natural process that helps to break down dead plant and animal material. It is also crucial in the nitrogen cycle. Ammonia can also be produced by manufacturing nitrogenous fertilizers, explosives, and other chemicals.

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Ammonification Types

There are two types of it:

  1. Volatile Ammonification
  2. Static Ammonification.

Volatile Ammonification

It is the process that breaks down organic materials into ammonia and carbon dioxide gas. It is done by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The ammonia gas produced through it can be used as a fertilizer for plants. It is important, especially in areas with insufficient nutrients for crops to grow. It was used in the past when natural fertilizers were scarce than today when chemical fertilizers are readily available. It also occurs in landfills, manure, and compost piles.

Static Ammonification

It is the process that breaks down organic materials into ammonia and solid material. It is done by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The ammonia gas is produced through it.

Function of Ammonification

  1. Its primary function of it is to break down dead plant and animal material.
  2. Ammonia is essential because it can be used as fertilizer for plants and crops, resulting in vegetation growth as food sources for animals.
  3. It is a natural process that helps to break down dead plant and animal material.
  4. Ammonia can also be produced by manufacturing nitrogenous fertilizers, explosives, and other chemicals.
  5. It also occurs in landfills, manure, and compost piles. Ammonia is produced through this process and it can be used in explosives because ammonia reduces the melting point of nitroglycerin, which makes the explosive more powerful.

Can There Be Too Much Nitrogen?

Yes, there can be too much nitrogen. Ammonia gas produced through ammonification can be harmful to the environment if there is too much of it in the air.

Hazards of Ammonia gasĀ 

Ammonia gas is a pollutant that can cause respiratory problems and other health issues. Too much ammonia in the air can also damage plants and crops. Ammonia gas can also be harmful to aquatic life. Ammonia gas released into the water can cause algal blooms, which can deplete the oxygen in the water and lead to the death of aquatic life. Ammonia gas is also dangerous to humans. Ammonia gas can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, respiratory tract, and skin.

Ammonia gas can also cause unconsciousness or even death if inhaled in a large amount of Ammonia gas. Ammonia gas is also poisonous to plants. Ammonia interferes with photosynthesis, reducing the amount of Oxygen produced.

Ammonia gas is also dangerous to produce Ammonia gas is toxic and can be fatal if inhaled in high concentrations. Ammonia is an irritant that causes severe damage to the eyes, throat, nose, and respiratory tract. Ammonia causes severe burns on skin contact. Ammonia gas is also corrosive. Ammonia can dissolve materials like metals, plastics, and rubber. Ammonia gas is a powerful environmental pollutant that can cause severe health problems. Ammonia gas should be handled with caution.

Ammonification