California Wastewater Grade 3 Certification Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

Denitrification is a crucial biological process in wastewater treatment that specifically targets the removal of nitrogen compounds. During this process, nitrates (NO3-) and nitrites (NO2-) present in wastewater are converted by bacteria into nitrogen gas (N2), which is then released into the atmosphere. This transformation effectively reduces the concentration of nitrogen in the water, addressing potential issues such as eutrophication, which can result from excessive nitrogen levels in aquatic environments.

The significance of this process lies in its ability to mitigate the impact of nitrogen pollution, helping to maintain the ecological balance of water bodies. By removing nitrogen in the form of gas, denitrification ensures that wastewater treatment facilities can contribute to cleaner effluent being released back into the environment, thus protecting aquatic ecosystems and promoting overall water quality.

In this context, other choices do not accurately convey the role of denitrification. For instance, the process does not increase oxygen levels, aid in sludge formation, or add nitrogen back into the system, which are key points differentiating it from other treatment processes within wastewater management.