Question

nitrogen moves from the soil to the atmosphere through processes performed by...
□ fungi
□ denitrifying bacteria
□ lightning
□ nitrogen fixing bacteria

Explanation:

Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates in the soil into nitrogen gas (\(N_2\)), which is released into the atmosphere. Fungi are not primarily involved in moving nitrogen from soil to atmosphere in this way. Lightning is involved in nitrogen fixation (converting atmospheric \(N_2\) to forms usable by plants) rather than moving nitrogen from soil to atmosphere. Nitrogen - fixing bacteria convert atmospheric \(N_2\) to ammonia (\(NH_3\)) for plants, not the reverse process of moving nitrogen from soil to atmosphere.

Answer:

denitrifying bacteria