Significance of anaerobic ammonium oxidation in the ocean

A missing link in the nitrogen cycle has recently been found: bacteria capable of oxidizing ammonium to nitrogen gas (N2). This new source of N2 has now been detected in both the water column and the sediments in marine environments. This discovery is important because it necessitates re-evaluation of (1) major fluxes in the global nitrogen budget and (2) regulation of the processes leading to fixed nitrogen loss. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]