denitrification

American  

[dee-nahy-truh-fi-kay-shuhn] / diˌnaɪ trə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

Chemistry, Biology.

1. the bacterial or other microbial process in which nitrates and nitrites are reduced or removed from soil, water, or air by their conversion into nitrogenous gases: This process is environmentally significant, as in the treatment of wastewater, which depends on denitrification to eliminate toxic levels of nitrogen, making the water safe for plants and animals.

   We’re observing the nitrogen activity in salt marsh soil, with a particular interest in the last step of the nitrogen cycle—that is, denitrification.

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Etymology

Origin of denitrification

First recorded in 1880–85; de- + nitrification

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

denitrification

The team concluded that shrinking sea ice intensified a process known as benthic denitrification.

From Science Daily ● May 28, 2026

During the microbial processes of nitrification and denitrification, nitrogen and oxygen -- the components of nitrous oxide -- take on subtle isotopic changes that Yu's instruments can read like a fingerprint.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 3, 2024

The grasses on those freshwater wetlands clean water through their stems, and they have a biochemical effect on water called denitrification, Jacob said.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 1, 2019

Some bacteria obtain energy by converting nitrates into nitrogen gas, which is released into the atmosphere in a process called denitrification.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2018

There will be some loss of nitrogen through leaching and denitrification.

From The First Book of Farming by Charles Landon Goodrich

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