What is denitrification and how does it affect concentrations of nitrate in streams and groundwater?
Denitrification is a process by which bacteria convert nitrate in water to nitrogen gas that usually results in the escape of nitrogen to the air. Aquifers or streams containing organic-rich sediments and low dissolved-oxygen (less than 0.5 mg/L) or “reduced” conditions favor the process of denitrification and will typically have low or non-detectable nitrate concentrations.
