Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Phosphorus Cycle

bedrock

where nitrogen is found; anaerobic microbes move it up

pseudomonas

carry nitrogen a long way; convert nitrates from the soil into nitrogen gas (denitrification)

azotobacter

convert N² into compounds like ammonia that plants can use (nitrogen-fixation)

nitrosomonas 

convert nitrogen in soil into different forms (nitrification) 

ammonification

the release of ammonia (NH³) due to deamination (proteins → amino acids)

nitrification

ammonium is oxidized to produce nitrate

denitrification

nitrate ion is used as electron acceptor in absence of oxygen

nitrogen fixation

conversion of nitrogen gas into ammonia

eutrophication

ecosystem response to addition or artificial or natural substances into aquatic system; specific nutrients can lead to dense growth of specific organisms

leaching

the loss of water-soluble nutrients from the soil

assimilatory phase of nitrogen cycle

nitrate reduction; anabolic, elements are incorporated into structures

dissimilation of nitrogen cycle

catabolic; elements are broken down and energy is used

anammox (anoxic ammonium oxidation)

chemolithotrophs use ammonium ion as electron donor & nitrate as terminal electron acceptor, producing N² gas

location of sulfur

weathering of bedrocks, large deposits underground, climate regulation

assimilatory sulfur reduction

biomass synthesis, incorporates sulfur into cellular components

dissimilatory sulfur reduction

energy metabolism

alteromonas

recycle/breakdown sulfur nutrients in marine water

desulfovibrio

convert sulfate into H²S

thiobacillus

convert sulfur into sulfate in soil

thiothrix

convert sulfur into sulfate in water

steps of sulfur cycle

1) algae metabolizes sulfate

2) continental shelf

3) hydrothermal vents

algae metabolizes sulfate

DMSP, which can be used by many microbes to produce MESH & DMS (highly reactive and escape into the atmosphere)

continental shelf

H²S can be deoxidized by Thiomargarita (largest bacteria)

hydrothermal vents

sulfate precipitates out of seawater (CaSO4)

phosphorus cycle

required for energy (ATP) for building blocks

can leach into water sources

nothing in this cycle cycles back into the air — is deposited in the ocean/Earth

processes the cycles can utilize

biosensors and bioremediation

biosensors

microbes that can locate biologically active pollutants

bioremediation

the use of microbes to detoxify or degrade pollutants — exposing coliform and water treatments

flocculation

chemicals that promote the suspension of aggregates (colloidal materials)

ozone treatment

UV + electricity = O³ (highly reactive) - disinfects water

cooperation

both or one organism benefits without harming the other

amensalism

one organism is inhibited/destroyed and the other is unaffected