To determine the important prerequisite for the given reaction, let's carefully analyze it.
The overall nitrification reaction is:
[tex]\[ NH_4^+ + 2 O_2 \rightarrow NO_3^- + H_2O + 2 H^+ \][/tex]
Nitrification is a biological process where ammonium ([tex]\( NH_4^+ \)[/tex]) is oxidized to nitrate ([tex]\( NO_3^- \)[/tex]). Oxidation reactions typically require an oxidizing agent, which, in this case, is molecular oxygen ([tex]\( O_2 \)[/tex]).
Examining the reactants:
- [tex]\( NH_4^+ \)[/tex] is being converted.
- [tex]\( O_2 \)[/tex] is present as a necessary reactant, indicating that it plays a crucial role in the oxidation process.
The products include:
- [tex]\( NO_3^- \)[/tex] which is the oxidized form of nitrogen.
- Water ([tex]\( H_2O \)[/tex]).
- Hydrogen ions ([tex]\( H^+ \)[/tex]).
Let's evaluate the given options to determine which one correctly identifies the important prerequisite for this reaction:
a) Denitrification
Denitrification is a different process where nitrate ([tex]\( NO_3^- \)[/tex]) is reduced to produce nitrogen gas ([tex]\( N_2 \)[/tex]), typically occurring in anaerobic conditions. This is not relevant to our reaction.
b) Carbonation
Carbonation involves the reaction of carbon dioxide ([tex]\( CO_2 \)[/tex]) with various substances, such as dissolving in water to form carbonic acid ([tex]\( H_2CO_3 \)[/tex]) or in geochemical processes. This does not pertain to our reaction.
c) Carboxylation
Carboxylation is a biochemical process where a carboxyl group ([tex]\( -COOH \)[/tex]) is introduced into a molecule. This is unrelated to the oxidation of ammonium to nitrate.
d) Oxygenation
Oxygenation refers to the addition of oxygen to a substance or the process involving molecular oxygen ([tex]\( O_2 \)[/tex]). Given our reaction requires [tex]\( O_2 \)[/tex] to oxidize [tex]\( NH_4^+ \)[/tex] to [tex]\( NO_3^- \)[/tex], oxygenation is crucial for this process.
Thus, the important prerequisite for the nitrification reaction is:
d) Oxygenation
