Dive into the 2026 NY Wastewater Exam – Flush Away the Competition with Confidence!

Nitrification is best described as the process where ammonia is converted to nitrites and then to nitrates. This biological transformation is carried out by beneficial bacteria in aerobic conditions. The process plays a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle, helping to convert nitrogen in organic matter into forms that plants can easily absorb. In the first step, ammonia, which can be toxic at high concentrations, is oxidized to nitrites by bacteria such as Nitrosomonas. Following this, another group of bacteria, including Nitrobacter, further oxidizes nitrites to nitrates. This sequential process is essential for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems and soil fertility, and it minimizes the risk of ammonia pollution in wastewater. Understanding nitrification is vital for wastewater treatment processes, where it contributes to the removal of ammonia from effluents before they are released into the environment.