noun
- the process by which nitrates or nitrites in soil are converted into nitrogen gas and released into the atmosphere, typically by the action of bacteria under anaerobic conditions
Usage: technical; biology/environmental science
Examples
- Denitrification occurs in waterlogged soils where oxygen is scarce.
- Bacteria in the sediment perform denitrification, converting nitrate to nitrogen gas.
- The farmer's flooded field experienced significant denitrification, reducing soil nitrogen levels.
- Denitrification is an important part of the nitrogen cycle in aquatic ecosystems.
- Wetlands promote denitrification, which helps remove excess nutrients from water.
- Understanding denitrification is crucial for managing nutrient pollution in rivers and lakes.