process of decomposition

[Primarygun]

What's the term for the process of bacteria decomposing organic matter into nitrogenous compounds? Decomposition or Resipiration?

[ecoli]

Decomposition. Respiration is the use of oxygen to make energy.

[Primarygun]

But aerobic respiration produces nitrogenous compound.

[ecoli]

Are you sure? I think CO2 is the waste product of aerobic respiration. Maybe you mean anaerobic respiration?

[Primarygun]

In the decomposition stage in a sewage treatment, oxygen is added to encourage bacteria to carry out aerobic respiration to decompose organic substance into inorganic matter, such as mineral salts.

[ecoli]

Then how is nitrogen a direct waste product of respiration. In an STP, bacteria is breaking up nitrogen into component forms. A bacterium not in this environment would still carry out respiration. But would they produce nitrogenous by-products?

[Primarygun]

I don't know. I haven't learnt the respiration, now focusing on human and environment!

Perhaps they are extremely active to decompose organic substance to release energy.