Nitrogen Cycle

The 2 abiotic reservoirs are..?

1. the atmosphere (about 78% is nitrogen gas)
2. soil

What does the nitrogen cycle depend on?

Bacteria

Nitrogen fixation

converts N2 to compounds of nitrogen that is used by plants and soil

What chemical forms of nitrogen are found in the cycle?

N2 → nitrogen gas

NH4+ → ammonium

NO2- → nitrite

NO3- → nitrate

Cycle steps

N2 (nitrogen fixation) →

NH4+ (ammonification) →

NO2- (nitrification 1) →

NO3- (Nitrification 2) →

NO3- (denitrification) → N2