nitrification

American  

[nahy-truh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌnaɪ trə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

Chemistry, Biology.

1. the process of oxidation in the nitrogen cycle that converts ammonia or ammonium compounds to nitrites and then to nitrates, especially this process as facilitated by bacteria and other microbes in soil to provide the nitrogen vital to plant health and growth.

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nitrification British  

/ ˌnaɪtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the oxidation of the ammonium compounds in dead organic material into nitrites and nitrates by soil nitrobacteria, making nitrogen available to plants See also nitrogen cycle

2. 1. the addition of a nitro group to an organic compound

   2. the substitution of a nitro group for another group in an organic compound

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nitrification Scientific  

/ nī′trə-fĭ-kā′shən /

1. The process by which bacteria in soil and water oxidize ammonia and ammonium ions and form nitrites and nitrates. Because the nitrates can be absorbed by more complex organisms, as by the roots of green plants, nitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle.

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Etymology

Origin of nitrification

First recorded in 1820–30; nitr- + -i- + -fication

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

This process occurs in three steps in terrestrial systems: ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Woodall noted that agronomists are working on new corn varieties and seed additives to reduce methane, as well as nitrification inhibitors to diminish the nitrous oxide given off by manure.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 23, 2019

These farmers invested more than $17 million to try cover crops, no-till, strip-till or a nitrification inhibitor on their land.

From Washington Times • Sep. 24, 2018

The herbicide 2,4-D causes a temporary interruption of nitrification.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson