 Some strains are capable of 'aerobic denitrification', the complete dissimilation of nitrate to dinitrogen (or nitrous oxide) under aerobic growth conditions.The microbe also can oxidize ammonia to nitrite while growth on organic energy sources, a process known as 'heterotrophic nitrification'.Coupled to denitrification, heterotrophic nitrification allows for the complete transformation of ammonia to dinitrogen by a single organism.