APES 1.5- Nitrogen Cycle

What is the major difference between the nitrogen cycle and the other nutrient cycles?

Nitrogen requires bacteria to convert it from its gaseous form to a usable biological form. It also moves much faster.

Fixation

Special bacteria take N₂ from the atmosphere and convert it to ammonnium (NH₄⁺) in the soil

Nitrification

Ammonium is toxic so it must be converted to something plants can use. Bacteria convert ammonium (NH₄⁺) into nitrites (NO₂^-) and then into nitrates (NO₃^-).

Assimilation

Ammonification

Denitrification