Nitrogen Cycle

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of insecticides?

  • To enrich the soil
  • To kill fungi
  • To kill insects (correct)
  • To treat wastewater

Which nutrients are commonly found in fertilizers?

  • Calcium, Iron, Magnesium
  • Zinc, Manganese, Copper
  • Sodium, Chlorine, Bromine
  • Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus (correct)

How do sanitary landfills prevent waste from contaminating groundwater?

  • By regularly treating the waste onsite
  • By using only biodegradable materials
  • By allowing waste to naturally decompose
  • Through plastic liners and clay barriers (correct)

What is considered sewage primarily composed of?

<p>Undissolved materials from human use (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the term 'sour gas'?

<p>Natural gas containing hydrogen sulfide (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of nitrogen fixation in the nitrogen cycle?

<p>To make nitrogen usable for plants (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a way that nitrogen enters the soil?

<p>By absorption through animal skin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines pollution?

<p>A change in the environment that is harmful to living things (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do bacteria in root nodules play in the nitrogen cycle?

<p>They fix atmospheric nitrogen into usable compounds (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following practices is specifically aimed at reducing weeds in agriculture?

<p>Pesticide application (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the nitrogen cycle as described?

<p>Lightning converts free nitrogen in the air (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do human activities contribute to changes in chemical levels in the environment?

<p>They introduce pollutants that disrupt natural cycles (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the nitrogen cycle is incorrect?

<p>Lightning plays no role in the nitrogen cycle. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in Step One of the nitrogen cycle?

<p>Free nitrogen in the air is converted by lightning. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following steps involves bacteria converting nitrogen into usable compounds?

<p>Step Three (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the nitrogen that is released back into the air during the nitrogen cycle?

<p>It returns to the atmosphere as free nitrogen. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which step do plants take up useful nitrogen?

<p>Step Four (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do animal and plant waste play in the nitrogen cycle?

<p>They break down and release nitrogen compounds into the soil. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Harmful chemicals

Chemicals that can be bad for the environment and living things.

Nitrogen fixation

Combining nitrogen with other elements to make it usable for plants.

Nitrogen cycle

The natural process of nitrogen moving through the environment.

Nitrogen Compounds

Substances containing nitrogen that are important for plants and animals .

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Pollution

Any change in the environment harming living things.

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Agricultural Practices

Farming methods that can affect chemical levels in the environment.

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Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill pests.

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Fertilizers

Chemicals used to improve soil's nutrient content for plants.

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Insecticides

Substances used to kill insects.

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Fertilizer Components

Fertilizers usually contain Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), and Phosphorus (P).

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Sanitary Landfill

A landfill with plastic liners and clay to prevent waste leakage into groundwater.

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Sewage Treatment

Process to treat wastewater from homes and industry by removing undissolved materials.

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Fossil Fuels Combustion

Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, water vapor, and potentially harmful pollutants like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and lead.

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Lightning's Role

Lightning provides the energy needed to break apart nitrogen gas in the air, combining it with oxygen to form nitrates, which are then dissolved in rainwater and absorbed by the soil.

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Waste Breakdown

Decomposers like bacteria break down animal and plant waste, releasing nitrogen compounds back into the soil.

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Root Nodules

Special bacteria living in root nodules of certain plants convert nitrogen gas into a form plants can use.

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Plants Take Up Nitrogen

Plants absorb usable nitrogen compounds from the soil, using them to grow and build proteins.

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Nitrogen Back to Air

Some bacteria release nitrogen back into the atmosphere as a gas, completing the cycle.

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Study Notes

Chemicals in the Environment

  • Chemicals are the building blocks of everything
  • This unit focuses on harmful chemicals in the environment

Harmful Chemicals

  • Living things need chemicals to survive
  • Some chemicals can be harmful to the environment and living things

The Nitrogen Cycle

  • Nitrogen is essential for living organisms, mainly plants

  • Plants can't use free-floating nitrogen

  • Nitrogen needs to be combined with other elements for use by plants

  • This process is called nitrogen fixation

  • Nitrogen fixation is often done by bacteria in soil

Nitrogen Cycle in Steps

  • Step One: Free Nitrogen in the air is converted by lightning
  • Step Two: Animal/Plant waste are broken down and Nitrogen compounds are released into the soil
  • Step Three: Bacteria in root nodules convert Nitrogen into useable compounds
  • Step Four: Plants uptake useful Nitrogen
  • Step Five: Bacteria will release some free nitrogen back into the air

Processes Affecting Environmental Chemicals

  • The nitrogen cycle is a natural process that changes chemical levels over time
  • Humans can also change chemical levels in unnatural ways

Pollution

  • Pollution is any change in the environment that is harmful to living things
  • It's not just caused by human activities

Agricultural Practices and Pollution

  • Pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) kill weeds, insects, and fungi
  • Fertilizers improve soil nutrients to promote crop growth; They usually contain nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
  • Excess fertilizer can cause harm
  • Fertilizer labels contain information regarding the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

Solid Wastes

  • Solid waste, like garbage, is disposed of in landfills
  • Sanitary landfills are constructed with plastic liners and clay on top of the waste.
  • This prevents waste from leaking into the groundwater and soil (leachate)

Waste Water

  • Wastewater from human use is called sewage
  • Sewage treatment plants treat sewage from homes and industry
  • Treated wastewater is sent to rivers and lakes

Fuel Combustion

  • Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) are formed from plants and animals that died millions of years ago
  • Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, water vapor, and pollutants (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and lead) into the air

Industrial Processes

  • Industrial processes release chemicals into the air
  • Natural gas processing can produce "sour gas" (containing hydrogen sulfide) or "sweet gas" (without hydrogen sulfide)

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