Nitrogen Cycle: Processes and Effects

NITROGEN CYCLE Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria symbiotic bacteria (Rhizobium) living on the roots of legume plants converts nitrogen to ammonia used by plants. cyanobacteria (formerly known as blue-green algae) Clostridium bacteria in the soil combine nitrogen with hydrogen into am...

NITROGEN CYCLE Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria symbiotic bacteria (Rhizobium) living on the roots of legume plants converts nitrogen to ammonia used by plants. cyanobacteria (formerly known as blue-green algae) Clostridium bacteria in the soil combine nitrogen with hydrogen into ammonia in the soil Process of: Nitrogen Assimilation are assimilation of nitrates and ammonia resulting from nitrogen fixation into the specific tissue compounds of algae and higher plants. Animals then ingest these algae and plants, converting them into their own body compounds. Ammonification The remains of all living things—and their waste products—are decomposed by microorganisms which yields ammonia. Process of: Nitrification a process carried out by nitrifying bacteria(Nitrosomonas) that converts ammonia into nitrites then acted upon by another bacteria (Nitrobacter) to convert nitrite into nitrates which plants can incorporate into their own tissues. Process of: Denitrification The process where nitrates are metabolized by denitrifying bacteria to free nitrogen and returned to the atmosphere Oversupply of Nitrogen & Its Effects: the production and use of nitrogen as fertilizers burning of fossil fuels in automobiles, power generation plants, and industries Effects of Over supply of Nitrogen: the leaching of nitrogen from over fertilized croplands, animal wastes and sewage Effects of Over Supply of Nitrogen substantial acidification of soils and of the waters of streams and lakes acid rain Increased global concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, Effects of Over Supply of Nitrogen stratospheric ozone depletion greatly increased transport of nitrogen by rivers into estuaries and coastal waters where it is a major pollutant.