nitrification

ni·tri·fy  (ntr-f)

tr.v. ni·tri·fied, ni·tri·fy·ing, ni·tri·fies

1. To oxidize (an ammonia compound) into nitric acid, nitrous acid, or any nitrate or nitrite, especially by the action of nitrobacteria.

2. To treat or combine with nitrogen or compounds containing nitrogen.

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nitri·fi·cation (-f-kshn) n.

nitri·fier n.

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nitrification  (ntr-f-kshn)

The process by which bacteria in soil and water oxidize ammonia and ammonium ions and form nitrites and nitrates. Because the nitrates can be absorbed by more complex organisms, as by the roots of green plants, nitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	nitrification - the chemical process in which a nitro group is added to an organic compound (or substituted for another group in an organic compound) chemical action, chemical change, chemical process - (chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved
	2.	nitrification - the oxidation of ammonium compounds in dead organic material into nitrates and nitrites by soil bacteria (making nitrogen available to plants) plant life, flora, plant - (botany) a living organism lacking the power of locomotion oxidation, oxidisation, oxidization - the process of oxidizing; the addition of oxygen to a compound with a loss of electrons; always occurs accompanied by reduction