1.5 Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Fixation

process of N2 gas being converted into biologically available ammonia or nitrate

bacterial fixation

certain bacteria that live in the soil or in a symbiotic relationship convert N2 into ammonia

synthetic fixation

humans combust fossil fuels to convert N2 gas into nitrate

Assimilation

plants and animals taking nitrogen in and incorporating it into their body

Ammonification

soil bacteria, microbes, and decomposers converting waste and dead biomass back into ammonia and returning it to soil

nitrification

conversion of NH4 into nitrite and then nitrate

Denitrification

conversion of soil nitrogen into nitrous oxide gas which returns to atmosphere

Leaching

nutrients being carried out of soil by water