Laney is asked to research an organism that performs denitrification. which strategy is the most likely to be successful? a. look for phytoplankton that performs photosynthesis. b. look for ocean-dwelling organisms that perform chemosynthesis. c. look for soil bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen to nitrates. d. look for soil bacteria that convert nitrates into nitrogen gas.

The correct answer is option D, that is, look for soil bacteria, which transforms nitrates into nitrogen gas.  

A microbial mediated procedure where nitrate is reduced and eventually generating molecular nitrogen via an array of intermediate gaseous nitrogen gaseous outcomes is known as denitrification.  

It is generally the withdrawal or the loss of nitrogen or nitrogen components, mainly the reduction of nitrites or nitrates by the bacteria in the soil, which usually leads to the escape of nitrogen into the atmosphere.