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

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

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 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

This loss of nitrogen by denitrification can be checked by keeping the soil well ventilated.

From The First Book of Farming by Goodrich, Charles Landon