the nitrogen cycle. 1. what is nitrogen? 1. nitrogen is a non-metal, gaseous element
TRANSCRIPT
3. Atmospheric nitrogen is converted to ammonia or nitrates.
Ammonia (NH3) Nitrates (NO3)
Atmospheric Nitrogen (N2)
N
N
N
N
5. Nitrogen is an essential component of DNA, RNA, and proteins—the building
blocks of life. Although the majority of the air we breathe is nitrogen, most living organisms are
unable to use nitrogen as it exists in the atmosphere!
6. How does atmospheric nitrogen get
changed into a form that can be
used by most living organisms?
N
N
6. By traveling through one of the four processes in the Nitrogen Cycle!
(A) Nitrogen Fixation
(C) Nitrification (B) Ammonification
(D) Denitrification
Nitrogen Cycle
7. “Nitrogen Fixation” is when the nitrogen gets “fixed” and combines with oxygen or hydrogen.
N
N
N
N
NOxygen
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Hydrogen
N
There are three ways that nitrogen gets “fixed”!
(a) Atmospheric Fixation
(b) Industrial Fixation
(c) Biological Fixation
Bacteria
(A)Atmospheric Fixation(Only 5 to 8% of the Fixation
Process)Lightning breaks nitrogen
molecules apart and combines with oxygen forming nitrogen oxides (N2O). Nitrogen oxides
dissolve in rain, forming nitrates. Nitrates (NO3) are
carried to the ground with the rain.
Lightning “fixes” Nitrogen!
Nitrogen combines with Oxygen
Nitrogen oxides forms
Nitrogen oxides dissolve in rain and change to nitrates
Plants use nitrates to grow!
(NO3)
NN O
(N2O)
(B) Industrial FixationUnder great pressure, at
a temperature of 600 degrees Celcius, and
with the use of a catalyst, atmospheric
nitrogen (N2) and hydrogen are combined to form ammonia (NH3). Ammonia can be used as
a fertilizer.
Industrial Plant combines nitrogen and hydrogen
Ammonia is formed
Ammonia is used a fertilizer in soil
(NH3)
NNH
N H3
( C) Biological Fixation(where MOST nitrogen fixing is completed)
There are two types of “Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria”
Free Living Bacteria(“fixes” 30% of N2) Symbiotic Relationship
Bacteria(“fixes” 70% of N2)
Most atmospheric nitrogen (N2) is “fixed” and changed to ammonia (NH3). Ammonia is highly toxic to many organisms. Can plants use ammonia?
Very few plants can use ammonia (NH3)…
…but, fortunately the second process
Ammonification can help!
(1) Nitrogen Fixation
(2) Ammonification
8. Ammonification: Bacteria decomposers break down amino acids from dead animals and wastes into nitrogen
ammonium.
Bacteria decomposers break down amino acids into ammonium
9. Because plants cannot use the organic forms of nitrogen that are in the soil as a result of:(1) wastes (manure and sewage)(2) compost and decomposing roots and leaves
10. Microorganisms convert the organic nitrogen to ammonium. The ammonium is either taken up by the
plants (only in a few types of plants) or is absorbed into the soil particles. Ammonium (NH4) in the soil is stored up to later be changed into inorganic nitrogen, the kind
of nitrogen that most plants can use.
Ammonium (NH4) is stored in soil.
Bacteria converts organic nitrogen to ammonium (NH4)
Ammonium (NH4) is used by some plants
Bacteria
11. It travels through thethird process
of the nitrogen cycle called Nitrification!
(1) Nitrogen Fixation
(2) Ammonification(3) Nitrification
11. Nitrifying bacteria in the ground first combine ammonia with oxygen to form nitrites. Then another group of nitrifying bacteria convert nitrites to nitrates
which green plants can absorb and use!
Nitrifying bacteria in soil combine ammonia with oxygen
Ammonia changes to nitrites
Nitrifying bacteria in soil convert nitrites to nitrates
Plants absorb nitrates and grow!
Ammonia Nitrites Nitrates
(NH3) (NO3)(NO2)
12. Through the fourth process called denitrification!
(1) Nitrogen Fixation
(2) Nitrification(3) Ammonification
(4) Denitrification
13. Denitrification converts nitrates (NO3) in the soil to atmospheric nitrogen (N2) replenishing the
atmosphere.
Nitrates (NO3) in Soil
Nitrogen in atmosphere (N2)
Other ways that nitrogen returns to the atmosphere…
Emissions from industrial combustion and gasoline engines create nitrous oxides gas (N2O).
Volcano eruptions emit nitrous oxides gas (N2O).
Can you fill in the following diagram with the parts of the nitrogen cycle?
Word bank:denitrification,nitrification,
nitrogen fixation,ammonification
(1) _____________
(3) ____________ (2) _____________
(4) _____________
Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrates in SoilAmmonia is converted to nitrites and nitrates.
Organic nitrogen is converted to ammonium.
(a)
(b)
(c)
N2
NH3
NO3
N2O