Water Nuggets Practice Exam

Nitrification in the distribution system is best characterized by which process?

1. The warming and cooling of the water

2. Oxidation of ammonia to form nitrite and nitrate

3. The basic condition of hydrogen ions in the water system

4. The transformation of pathogens during treatment

The correct answer is: Oxidation of ammonia to form nitrite and nitrate

Nitrification in the distribution system is defined as the biological oxidation process that converts ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate. This process is carried out by specialized bacteria, commonly found in water systems, that require oxygen to convert ammonia, a toxic compound, into a less harmful form, nitrate. The correct characterization of nitrification focuses on these microbial activities, highlighting its significance in maintaining water quality and preventing ammonia toxicity within aquatic systems. This process is fundamental as it also influences the availability of nitrogen in the ecosystem, which can have downstream effects on the health of water bodies and the organisms that inhabit them. Understanding nitrification is essential for water quality management, particularly in ensuring that drinking water meets safety standards, and for maintaining the balance of nitrogen in natural and engineered environments. Other options refer to unrelated concepts such as temperature variations, acidity, and pathogen transformations, which do not encompass the specific biochemical process of nitrification.