denitrification
脱窒
解説 Definition
脱窒。バクテリアが硝酸塩を窒素ガスに変える生化学的プロセス。
Denitrification is a natural process in which certain bacteria change nitrates in soil or water into nitrogen gas. It usually happens in low-oxygen environments such as wet soil or sediments. The term is mainly used in environmental science, agriculture, and biology.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
`de-` は「外す・逆向き」の合図、`nitr-` は `nitrogen`・`nitrate` の仲間、`-fication` は「〜化すること」。この3つをつなげて、「硝酸塩のような窒素化合物を減らして、窒素ガスへ戻す過程」と捉えると定着しやすいです。特に `nitrification` とセットで覚えるのが有効で、あちらがアンモニアから亜硝酸・硝酸塩へ進む反応、こちらはその逆方向。土壌・排水処理・細菌、という使用場面も一緒に結ぶと忘れにくくなります。`nitrogen fixation`（窒素固定）とは向きが逆なので混同注意。
Break it into parts: `de-` often suggests reversal or removal, `nitr-` links to nitrogen or nitrate, and `-fication` means a process. So this word feels like a process that moves nitrogen compounds back the other way. It is useful to learn it beside `nitrification`, because the two are often taught as opposite directions.
例文
Denitrification reduces nitrogen levels in wastewater treatment.
脱窒は廃水処理の過程で窒素濃度を低減します。
Bacteria responsible for denitrification thrive in anaerobic conditions.
脱窒を担う細菌は嫌気性条件下でよく増殖します。
Wetlands facilitate denitrification naturally, improving water quality.
湿地は脱窒を自然に促進し、水質を改善します。
denitrification の語源・成り立ち Etymology
denitrification は de-「取り去る」+ nitrification「硝酸化」からなる近代科学語です。nitrification はフランス語経由で、さらに nitre がラテン語 nitrum・ギリシャ語 nitron にさかのぼり、文字どおり「硝酸塩を外していく」ので脱窒を表します。関連語は denitrify, nitrification。
Denitrification is a modern scientific term made from de-, meaning "remove," and nitrification. Nitrification comes from nitre, which goes back through Latin nitrum to Greek nitron. The word was formed to express the removal of nitrate-related compounds, and its meaning developed directly within chemistry and biology. Related words include denitrify and nitrification.
外部辞書で調べる
この単語を英単語クイズで覚えよう