ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷_fə̇ˈkāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from nitrifier to nitrify, after such pairs as French amplifier to amplify : amplification
: the process of nitrifying ; specifically : the oxidation by bacteria of ammonium salts to nitrites and the further oxidation of nitrites to nitrates wherever the proper conditions of temperature, air, moisture, and alkalinity allow the nitrobacteria to act (as in all productive soils and in the heaps of waste organic matter formerly used in manufacturing potassium nitrate) — see nitrogen cycle , nitrogen fixation 2; compare denitrification