The Nitrogen Cycle

THE NITROGEN CYCLE
NITROGEN
-Nitrogen (N) is an essential component of DNA, RNA, and proteins, the building blocks of
life.
-All organisms require nitrogen to live and grow.
-The majority (78%) of the Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen. About 21% oxygen, and about
1% other gases.
NITROGEN CYCLE
 The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which nitrogen is converted into multiple
chemical forms as it circulates among the atmosphere, terrestrial, and a marine ecosystems.
 Important processes in the nitrogen cycle include fixation, nitrification, ammonification
and denitrification.
IMPORTANCE
 Nitrogen is a component of chlorophyll and therefore essential for photosynthesis.
- A plant deficient in nitrogen will show yellowing in the older leaves first due to the
underdevelopment or destruction of chloroplasts and an absence of the green pigmented
chlorophyll.
 Nitrogen in the form of protein is an important constituent of animal tissue
PROCESSES OF NITROGEN CYCLE
1. NITROGEN FIXATION(N2 --> NH3/NH4+)

-Nitrogen fixation is a process in which inert atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) is combined
with hydrogen to form ammonia (NH3). This vital process make nitrogen available to
autotrophic plants and ultimately to all members of the ecosystem.
-Three ways:
a) Biological - through the action of bacteria
b) Non-biological - through high-energy natural events.
c) Industrial - through human-induced chemical reactions
a. Biological
 Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
-These are microscopic organisms that are able to convert atmospheric nitrogen into
compounds that occur in soil which then are used by plants as nutrient
-responsible for fixing 90% of N2 on earth.
-An enzyme which these bacteria use is called 'Nitrogenase'. It is a chemical, responsible for
nitrogen fixation. Without it, the process is not possible.
- N2 + 6 H+ + 6 e- → 2 NH3
 Types of Nitrogen-fixing bacteria/Nitrifying bacteria
-Symbiotic with plants - live in the nodules of the roots of certain plants
-Free-living - live independently through the soil
b. Non-biological
-Atmospheric nitrogen combines with oxygen(ozone) during lightning or electrical
discharges in the clouds and produces different nitrogen oxides.
-The nitrogen oxides react with either water or oxygen to form nitric and nitrous acids.
-These acids reach the soil and combine with present alkaline substances forming nitrite and
nitrate ions. The nitrates are utilized by the plants and microorganisms.
c. Industrial
 Haber Process
- hydrogen and atmospheric nitrogen combine under conditions to produce ammonia
2. NITRIFICATION
-A two-step process in which ammonia is converted into nitrites and then into nitrates.
Two Steps:
-Bacteria converts ammonia to nitrite ions.
-Bacteria converts nitrite ions to nitrate ions.
Factors affecting Rate of Nitrification:

1. Temperature dependency - rapid changes in temperature can affect plant growth.
2. Oxygen intake - nitrifying bacteria are sensitive to low oxygen concentrations.
3. pH dependency - nitrification occurs the fastest when the pH is between 8 and 9.
4. Prevention substance - the presence of substances like metals can prevent nitrification.
3. NITROGEN ASSIMILATION
-Assimilation is the process by which living organisms incorporate/consume nitrates and
ammonium formed by nitrogen fixation and nitrification.
-Plants take nitrogen in this form through their roots and use them to produce nucleic acids
and plant protein.
-Animals are then able to receive nitrogen from plantS through consumption.
4. AMMONIFICATION(Organic N compounds --> NH4+)

-The process in which nitrogen compounds from dead animals and plants are converted to
ammonia or ammonium ion by certain organisms(decomposers)
-The bacteria that carry out ammonification are called ammonifying bacteria.
-Decomposers break down proteins in the organic matter and dissolves in the water in the
soil
-The ammonia then reacts with hydrogen ions to produce ammonium ion.
5. DENITRIFICATION (NO3 --> N2)

-The process where nitrates are metabolized by denitrifying bacteria into inert nitrogen
gas(N2) and release it into the atmosphere.
-Some microbes can utilize nitrates as electron acceptors and metabolize organic substances
HUMAN IMPACTS ON NITROGEN CYCLE
1.Overfertilization - causes excess plant growth such as algae bloom.
2. Burning of fossil fuel - adds nitric oxide into the atmosphere causing acid rain(Nitric
acid)
3. Deforestation - forests and plants have the ability to retain nitrogen. When trees are cut,
the amount of nitrogen retained decreases and the amount being put out into the air
increases.
- excess nitrogen in the air can impair our ability to breathe and
alter plant growth
4. Overfarming - removes nitrogen from the soil
a) harvesting nitrogen rich crops
b) irrigating crops
c) deforestation
References:
http://agroanaliz.ge/en_nitrogen/
https://www2.palomar.edu/users/warmstrong/plnov98.htm
https://www.safeopedia.com/definition/2807/nitrogen-fixing-bacteria
https://biologywise.com/nitrogen-fixing-bacteria
https://slideplayer.com/slide/7856931/
http://www.peoi.org/Courses/Coursesen/bot/bot10.html
https://swroc.cfans.umn.edu/agricultural-programs/soil-science/nitrogen-cycle
https://slideplayer.com/slide/230853/

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THE NITROGEN CYCLE

PROCESSES OF NITROGEN CYCLE

1. NITROGEN FIXATION(N2 --> NH3/NH4+)

Factors affecting Rate of Nitrification:

4. AMMONIFICATION(Organic N compounds --> NH4+)

5. DENITRIFICATION (NO3 --> N2)

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