What happens in the marine nitrogen cycle? In this video, KATHARINA KITZINGER explains that nitrification as carried out by marine microorganisms involves two distinct processes, with ammonia oxidation resulting in nitrite which is then transformed to nitrate via nitrite oxidation. * Using stable isotopes to assess the abundance and activity of the microorganisms that catalyze these two processes, Kitzinger observes that though they are much less common than ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA), nitrite oxidation bacteria are much more efficient in translating energy from nitrite oxidation to biomass growth. * With the research moving from shallow coastal waters to the open ocean, further insights are expected into the striking levels of microbial versatility that have been observed thus far. * This LT Publication is divided into the following chapters: 0:00 Question 2:48 Method 4:29 Findings 7:15 Relevance 8:42 Outlook