What is the function of a denitrification process in wastewater treatment?

The function of the denitrification process in wastewater treatment is to convert nitrates into nitrogen gas. This is significant as it effectively removes excess nitrogen from the wastewater stream. Nitrogen in the form of nitrates can lead to problems such as water quality degradation when released into surface waters, contributing to issues like eutrophication.

During denitrification, specific bacteria use nitrates as an alternate electron acceptor in their metabolic processes, thus reducing nitrates to nitrogen gas that is then released into the atmosphere. This transformation not only helps in purifying the water but also plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of nitrogen in the environment, preventing potential ecological harm caused by high nitrogen levels.

The other choices do not reflect the primary role of denitrification. While the conversion of nitrogen compounds may relate to other processes in wastewater treatment, the unique purpose of denitrification is the removal of nitrogen specifically by the conversion of nitrates to nitrogen gas.