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Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is a natural process that describes the movement of nitrogen through the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms. Key processes include nitrogen fixation, assimilation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification, each involving specific bacteria that convert nitrogen into forms usable by plants and animals. The nitrogen cycle is crucial for plant growth, soil fertility, and the overall health of ecosystems, supporting food chains and human nutrition.

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17 views

Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is a natural process that describes the movement of nitrogen through the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms. Key processes include nitrogen fixation, assimilation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification, each involving specific bacteria that convert nitrogen into forms usable by plants and animals. The nitrogen cycle is crucial for plant growth, soil fertility, and the overall health of ecosystems, supporting food chains and human nutrition.

Uploaded by

boakyemonalisa510
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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After the class materminders should be able to :

Describe the process involved in the nitrogen cycle


Define all the terms associated to the nitrogen cycle
State the functions of micro – organism’s role in the nitrogen cycle.
Explain the importance of nitrogen cycle to plants and animals

WHAT IS NITROGEN CYCLE


The nitrogen cycle is the natural process by which nitrogen moves
between the atmosphere, soil, living organisms, and back into the
atmosphere.
PROCESSES INVOLVED IN THE NITROGEN CYCLE
Nitrogen fixation
Nitrogen fixation : Nitrogen fixation is the conversion of nitrogen (N2)
from the atmosphere into the soil in a form readily available to plants
and hence to animals and humans. There are four ways to convert
nitrogen (N2) atmospheric nitrogen gas into more chemically reactive
froms.
These four processes are
1. BIOLOGICAL FIXATION
1. Biological fixation : Some symbiotic bacteria (mostly associated
with leguminous plants) and some free-living bacteria are able to fix
nitrogen and assimilate it as organic nitrogen.
A typical example is the mutualistic nitrogen fixation bacterium is the
Rhizobium bacteria, which live in legume root nodules use an enzyme
called nitrogenase to convert nitrogen gas into ammonia.
Some also takes in nitrogen whilst living freely in the soil. An example
is the free-living bacterium called Azoctobacter

2. Industrial nitrogen fixation


. Industrial nitrogen fixation : In the process, nitrogen (N2) is
converted together with hydrogen gas H2 into ammonia NH3
fertilizer.
The Haber process combines nitrogen gas (N₂) with hydrogen gas
(H₂) under high pressure and temperature, using a catalyst, to form
ammonia (NH₃).

3. Combustion of fossil fuels


3. Combustion of fossil fuels: Automobile engines and thermal power
plants , which release NOx.
(NOₓ stands for nitrogen oxides — mainly nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and
nitric oxide (NO)).
4. Chemical processes
Chemical processes : Nitrogen is fixed chemically into the soil through
lightening.
When lightning strikes, the huge amount of energy causes nitrogen
gas (N₂) from the air to react with oxygen (O₂) to form nitrogen
oxides (NO and NO₂).

Chemical reaction:

+ → 2NO
Then:

2NO + →2N

These nitrogen oxides dissolve in rainwater to form nitrates (NO₃⁻),


which fall to the ground with the rain and enrich the soil.

ASSIMILATION

Assimilation is the process where plants absorb nitrates (NO₃⁻),


ammonia (NH₃), or ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) from the soil through
their roots and use them to build proteins, DNA, and other
important molecules inside their bodies.

simple put :
Assimilation is when plants take in nitrogen compounds from the
soil and turn them into forms they can use
AMMONIFICATION

Ammonification is the process where dead plants, animals, and their


waste products are broken down by decomposer bacteria and fungi
to release ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) into the soil.

simple Put :
Ammonification is when dead organisms and waste rot and release
ammonia into the soil.

NITRIFICATION

Nitrification is the process where special bacteria in the soil convert


ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) into nitrites (NO₂⁻) and
then into nitrates (NO₃⁻), which plants can absorb and use.

Simply Put
Nitrification is when bacteria change ammonia into nitrites and
then into nitrates for plants to use.

Organisms involved in the nitrification process

1. Nitrosomonas bacteria

 These bacteria convert ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium ions


(NH₄⁺) into nitrites (NO₂⁻).
 First step of nitrification.

2. Nitrobacter bacteria

 These bacteria convert nitrites (NO₂⁻) into nitrates (NO₃⁻).


 Second step of nitrification.
Simple Summary:

Step Action
Organism
1. Ammonia Changes
→ Nitrite Nitrosomonas ammonia into nitrites
2. Nitrite → Changes
Nitrate Nitrobacter nitrites into nitrates

Other related bacteria

 Nitrosococcus (also converts ammonia to nitrite in oceans).


 Nitrospira (also helps in nitrite to nitrate conversion).
DENITRIFICATION

Denitrification is the process where special bacteria convert nitrates


(NO₃⁻) in the soil back into nitrogen gas (N₂) or nitrous oxide (N₂O),
which is released into the atmosphere.

Simple meaning:
Denitrification is when bacteria remove nitrogen from the soil and
send it back into the air.

Organisms involved in Denitrification

Organism Role
Pseudomonas Converts nitrates to nitrogen gas
Paracoccus Converts nitrates to nitrogen gas
Thiobacillus
Helps in reducing nitrates
denitrificans
Bacillus species Some types help in denitrification

Importance of the Nitrogen Cycle to Plants

1. Gives plants nitrogen they can use (like nitrates and


ammonium).
2. Helps plants grow by making proteins, chlorophyll, and DNA.
3. Keeps the soil rich and fertile for better plant growth.
4. Supports the food chain by helping plants become healthy food
for animals and humans.

Importance of the Nitrogen Cycle to Humans

1.The nitrogen cycle helps plants grow, giving humans food.


2. It supports animals, which humans also eat.
3.It keeps the soil healthy for farming.
4. It gives humans the nitrogen needed to build body proteins.
QUESTIONS

When a forest is burned down , what happens to the nitrogen in


them

Two properties of nitrogen

1. volatile : release when combined with oxgyen (NOx) during


combustion

2. Not a solid residue : unlike carbon rich materials , they do not


form solid ash residue

What happens
They will combine with oxygen gas to form nitrogen
oxides/nitrogen gas and be released into the atmosphere.

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