denitrifikatsioon

Denitrifikatsioon is a biological process that converts nitrate (NO3-) into nitrogen gas (N2). This microbial respiration occurs in anaerobic environments where oxygen is scarce. Various bacteria, known as denitrifiers, carry out this transformation using nitrate as an electron acceptor in their metabolic pathways. Denitrifikatsioon is a crucial part of the global nitrogen cycle, as it removes excess nitrogen from ecosystems and returns it to the atmosphere.

The process typically involves a series of steps. First, nitrate is reduced to nitrite (NO2-), then to nitric oxide (NO), followed by nitrous oxide (N2O), and finally to nitrogen gas (N2). Each step is catalyzed by specific enzymes. Factors influencing the rate of denitrifikatsioon include the availability of nitrate, the presence of organic matter (as an electron donor), temperature, and pH.

Denitrifikatsioon plays a significant role in both natural and managed systems. In aquatic environments like wetlands and wastewater treatment plants, it helps to remove nitrogen pollution, preventing eutrophication. However, under certain conditions, the intermediate product nitrous oxide can be released into the atmosphere, where it acts as a potent greenhouse gas. Understanding and managing denitrifikatsioon is therefore important for both environmental protection and climate change mitigation.