denitrification

American  

[dee-nahy-truh-fi-key-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

Example Sentences

Nitrogen isotopes preserved within fossil foraminifera enabled the scientists to track past changes in column denitrification in the water.

From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2024

The model results reveal intricate feedback mechanisms involving changes in the nitrogen and phosphorus content of phytoplankton, oceanic oxygen levels, N2 fixation by nitrogen-fixing phytoplankton, and denitrification.

From Science Daily • Oct. 13, 2023

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

When the water infrastructure law was enacted, Suffolk was set to start a denitrification pilot program.

From New York Times • May 8, 2017

It has been surmised by some that the action of denitrification may be effected by the same organisms that effect nitrification, and that it depends on merely external conditions which process goes on.

From Manures and the principles of manuring by Aikman, Charles Morton