Denitrification is actually a process of:

Options

A. Oxidation
B. Reduction
C. Ammonification
D. Deamination

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Denitrification**: Denitrification is a biological process that converts nitrates (NO3-) in the soil into nitrogen gas (N2) or, to a lesser extent, nitrous oxide (N2O). This process is crucial for the nitrogen cycle as it helps to remove excess nitrates from the soil and return nitrogen to the atmosphere.

2. **Identifying the Process**: Denitrification involves the reduction of nitrate ions. In this context, reduction refers to the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state, which is the opposite of oxidation.

3. **Role of Denitrifying Bacteria**: Specific bacteria, known as denitrifying bacteria, facilitate this process. Examples of such bacteria include Pseudomonas and Thiobacillus. These bacteria utilize nitrates as an electron acceptor in their metabolic processes, leading to the conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas.

4. **Eliminating Other Options**:
- **Oxidation**: This process involves the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state, which is not applicable to denitrification.
- **Ammonification**: This is the process of converting organic nitrogen into ammonia (NH3), which is different from denitrification.
- **Denitrification**: This term itself refers to the process we are discussing, but in the context of the question, we are identifying the nature of the process, which is reduction.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, denitrification is primarily a process of reduction, as it involves the conversion of nitrate ions into nitrogen gas through the gain of electrons.

### Final Answer:
Denitrification is actually a process of **reduction**.

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