nitrogen cycle diagram

Atmospheric nitrogen serves as the ultimate source. Outside sources are upwelling from deep water and nitrogen fixation. Ammonium ions added to the soil by ammonification, are soon oxidized by a process known as nitrification. They use the nitrate as an electron acceptor in the place of oxygen during respiration. Nitrogen Cycle is a biogeochemical process through which nitrogen is converted into many forms, consecutively passing from the atmosphere to the soil to organism and back into the atmosphere. [52][53] The New York Adirondack Lakes, Catskills, Hudson Highlands, Rensselaer Plateau and parts of Long Island display the impact of nitric acid rain deposition, resulting in the killing of fish and many other aquatic species.[54]. Nitrates and nitrites are released into the soil, which helps in enriching the soil with necessary nutrients required for cultivation. [40] Nitrate can be returned to the euphotic zone by vertical mixing and upwelling where it can be taken up by phytoplankton to continue the cycle. In this process, the ammonia is converted into nitrate by the presence of bacteria in the soil. The entire process of Nitrogen fixation is completed by symbiotic bacteria which are known as Diazotrophs. The diagram alongside shows how these processes fit together to form the nitrogen cycle. What are the modifications that are observed in birds that help them fly? [38] Between ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate, nitrite has the fastest turnover rate. Nitrogen Cycle Definition “Nitrogen Cycle is a biogeochemical process which transforms the inert nitrogen present in the atmosphere to a more usable form for living organisms.” Furthermore, nitrogen is a key nutrient element for plants. Later, the produced nitrites are converted into nitrates by Nitrobacter. Initially, the ammonia is converted to nitrite (NO2−) by the bacteria Nitrosomonas, or Nitrococcus, etc.


For example, the nitrogenous wastes in animal urine are broken down by nitrifying bacteria in the soil to be used by plants. Nitrogen sources are removed from the euphotic zone by the downward movement of the organic matter.

If the organic matter is eaten, respired, delivered to the water as ammonia, and re-incorporated into organic matter by phytoplankton it is considered recycled/regenerated production. New production is an important component of the marine environment. [59], Human activities have also dramatically altered the global nitrogen cycle via production of nitrogenous gases, associated with the global atmospheric nitrogen pollution. The reduction of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) to the ammonium ion (NH+4) is called nitrogen fixation. Welcome to BiologyDiscussion! The process of nitrogen fixation is carried out naturally in the soil within nodules in the plant’s root systems. 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A few non-legumes can also form such symbioses. Nitrates are also added to the soil through rock dissolution and combination of atmospheric nitrogen with oxygen by lightning (nitrates so formed reach the soil by rain). What are the functions of HCl of the gastric juice? This website includes study notes, research papers, essays, articles and other allied information submitted by visitors like YOU. Before sharing your knowledge on this site, please read the following pages: 1. Nitrification can then occur to convert the ammonium to nitrite and nitrate. It must first be “fixed” by specialized organisms or by industrial processes. The bacteria responsible for these reactions occur in the same soil. In the process of ammonification, the bacteria help in decomposing the animal and plant matter, which indirectly helps to clean up the environment. These root nodules contain leg hemoglobin, which functioning like hemoglobin, transports oxygen.

The plant responds to this infection by producing root nodules, about 1 to 3 mm in diameter. The processes in the nitrogen cycle is to transform nitrogen from one form to another. This distribution can be accounted for by the fact that nitrite and ammonium are intermediate species. They are both rapidly produced and consumed through the water column. Atmospheric ammonia and nitric acid also damage respiratory systems. [38] Phytoplankton need nitrogen in biologically available forms for the initial synthesis of organic matter.

Further Reading: Other Biogeochemical Cycles.