The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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A biological process involving the conversion of nitrogen-containing organic compounds into nitrates and nitrites. It is accomplished by two groups of chemo-synthetic bacteria that utilize the energy produced. The first step involves the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite, and is accomplished by Nitrosomas in the soil and Nitrosoccus in the marine environment. The second step involves the oxidation of nitrites into nitrates, releasing 18 kcal of energy. It is accomplished by Nitrobacter in the soil and Nitrococcus in salt water. Nitrification is an integral part of the nitrogen cycle, and is usually considered a beneficial process, since it converts organic nitrogen compounds into nitrates which can be absorbed by green plants. The reverse process of nitrification, occurring in oxygen-deprived environments, is called denitrification and is accomplished by other species of bacteria.