Denitrification Reaction

The process of denitrification takes place through a set of half-reactions, which are:

NO₃^– + 2H⁺ + 2e^–    →   NO₂^– + H₂O

NO₂⁻ + 2 H⁺ + e⁻   →   NO + H₂O

2NO + 2 H⁺ + 2 e⁻  →   N₂O + H₂O

N₂O + 2 H⁺ + 2 e⁻  →   N₂ + H₂O

The overall reaction can be represented as:

2NO₃⁻ + 10e⁻ + 12H⁺    →    N₂ + 6H₂O