Denitrification

The process of reducing oxidized nitrogen compounds present in soil or water back to nitrogen gas in the atmosphere.
It is a natural process conducted by certain bacteria and is now utilized in the treatment of sewage effluents.

1. The removal of an oxygen atom from a nitrogen compound (like NO3 to NO2, NO2 to NO, or NO to N2). This is something soil bacteria do successively until they release nitrogen gas, and is the opposite of nitrogen fixation.
   
2. The removal of nitrogen or nitrogen compounds from a substance.

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From the BioTech Dictionary at http://biotech.icmb.utexas.edu/. For further information see the BioTech homenode.

De*ni`tri*fi*ca"tion (?), n.

The act or process of freeing from nitrogen; also, the condition resulting from the removal of nitrogen.

 

© Webster 1913.