Nitrification consumes alkalinity.

Nitrification consumes alkalinity.

• A. Nitrification consumes acidity.
• B. Nitrification has no effect on alkalinity.
• C. Nitrification consumes alkalinity.
• D. Nitrification produces alkalinity.

Answer: (C)

Nitrification reduces the buffering capacity of wastewater by consuming alkalinity. In this biological process, ammonium is oxidized to nitrate, and hydrogen ions are produced as a byproduct. Those extra H+ ions lower the pH unless they are neutralized. The common buffering substance in water is bicarbonate, a major component of alkalinity. The produced H+ reacts with bicarbonate (alkalinity) to form carbonic acid, which then becomes CO2 and water. This neutralization uses up alkalinity, so the overall effect of nitrification is a decrease in alkalinity. That’s why the correct statement is that nitrification consumes alkalinity. The other options describe effects that don’t match the chemistry: it does not consume acidity (it generates acidity), it does not have no effect, and it does not produce alkalinity.

Nitrification reduces the buffering capacity of wastewater by consuming alkalinity. In this biological process, ammonium is oxidized to nitrate, and hydrogen ions are produced as a byproduct. Those extra H+ ions lower the pH unless they are neutralized. The common buffering substance in water is bicarbonate, a major component of alkalinity. The produced H+ reacts with bicarbonate (alkalinity) to form carbonic acid, which then becomes CO2 and water. This neutralization uses up alkalinity, so the overall effect of nitrification is a decrease in alkalinity.

That’s why the correct statement is that nitrification consumes alkalinity. The other options describe effects that don’t match the chemistry: it does not consume acidity (it generates acidity), it does not have no effect, and it does not produce alkalinity.