Nitrogen Cycle

nitrogen reservoirs hold nitrogen for _____ amounts of time when compared to carbon reservoirs

less

examples of nitrogen resevoirs

plants, soil, atmosphere

what is the main nitrogen reservoir

the atmosphere

nitrogen fixation

process of nitrogen being converted into biologically available nh3 (ammonia) or no3- (nitrate)

bacterial fixation

certain bacteria that live in the soil or in root nodules can convert n2 into ammonia

rhizobacteria

live in root nodules of legumes and fix nitrogen for them in return for amino acids from the plant

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 convert waste and dead biomasss back into ammonia and return into soil

nitrification

conversion of ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate by soil bacteria

denitrification

conversion of soil no3 into nitrous oxide gas, returning to the atmosphere

what is the rise of nitrous oxide caused by

denitification of nitrate in agricultural soils

ammonia volatilization

excess use of fertilizer use can lead to ammonia gas entering atmosphere

consquences of ammonia volatilization

acid rain, respiratory irritation, less nitrogen in the soil

leaching and eutrophication

usage of fertilizers leads to nitrate leaching or getting into local waters