Given below are two statements:Statement I: Nitrification results in a...
Statement I: Nitrification results in an increase in effluent ammonia toxicity.
- Nitrification is the conversion of ammonia to nitrites (NO2-) and ultimately to nitrates (NO3-)
- Nitrification is the process by which nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite and eventually to nitrate.
- Chemoautotrophic bacteria carry out the process, which is an aerobic process.
- Ammonia is the primary substrate in the nitrification process.
Thus, Statement I is incorrect.
Statement II: Denitrification reduces nitrate to nitrogen gas using bacteria.
- Denitrification is the process of converting nitrate to nitrogen in the soil.
- Bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Clostridium, and others carry out this activity.
- Changes in the oxygen (O2) concentration in their immediate environment cause denitrification.
So. Statement II is correct.
Therefore, Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
Given below are two statements:Statement I: Nitrification results in a...
Statement I: Nitrification results in an increase in effluent ammonia toxicity
Nitrification is a biological process that converts ammonia (NH3) into nitrite (NO2-) and then into nitrate (NO3-). This process is carried out by two groups of bacteria: ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB).
During nitrification, ammonia is first oxidized to nitrite by AOB, and then nitrite is further oxidized to nitrate by NOB. Both of these reactions release energy and are important in the nitrogen cycle.
However, nitrite is known to be more toxic to aquatic organisms compared to ammonia. Nitrite can interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin in fish and other aquatic organisms, leading to suffocation and death. Therefore, the accumulation of nitrite in the effluent can increase its toxicity.
Statement II: Denitrification reduces nitrate to nitrogen gas using bacteria
Denitrification is a process in which bacteria convert nitrate (NO3-) to nitrogen gas (N2) under anaerobic conditions. This process occurs when there is a lack of oxygen in the environment. Denitrifying bacteria use nitrate as an electron acceptor instead of oxygen, and in the process, they convert nitrate to nitrogen gas.
Denitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle as it helps to remove excess nitrogen from aquatic systems. Excess nitrogen in water bodies can lead to eutrophication, which is the excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants. Denitrification helps maintain a balance in the nitrogen cycle and prevents the accumulation of nitrate, which can be harmful to aquatic organisms.
Explanation:
Based on the statements provided, Statement I is incorrect because nitrification does not increase effluent ammonia toxicity. It converts ammonia into nitrite and nitrate, but it does not increase the toxicity of ammonia.
On the other hand, Statement II is correct as denitrification is the process that converts nitrate to nitrogen gas, and this process is carried out by bacteria under anaerobic conditions.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'D' - Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct.
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