ScienceAugust 29, 2026

denitrification

dee-NY-truh-fih-KAY-shun

Definition

A microbial process where nitrate is reduced into gaseous nitrogen compounds, typically occurring in low-oxygen environments.

Etymology

Formed in English by combining the prefix 'de-' (meaning removal) with 'nitrification' (the conversion of ammonia to nitrates). It describes the process of removing or reducing nitrogen compounds.

In the news

In the article, the authors explain that bacteria in sediment use this process to convert nitrate into gases, which removes biologically available nitrogen from stream water.

Climate, land use shape bacterial diversity and nitrogen cycling in headwater sediments

Read the full article ↗

Bioengineer.org

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