Denitrification: Definition, Microbes, Factors, Applications

Denitrification is the natural conversion of nitrate (NO₃^–) ions to biologically inert nitrogen (N₂) gas via the help of microorganisms.

This process helps in retaining bioavailable nitrogen back in the atmosphere. N_2, or the dinitrogen gas, is the final end product of interest though other forms of gaseous nitrogen may be released into the environment as a result of denitrification. One such gas is nitrous oxide (N₂O), an ozone-depleting greenhouse gas. It is an anaerobic process that occurs mainly in the oxygen-deprived zones of soils, sediments, lakes, and oceans. This process has proved beneficial in wastewater treatment plants and is a good bioremediation tool for extracting nitrogen.