Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Fixation:

• The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia and nitrates

Ammonification:

• the production of ammonia by bacteria during the decay of nitrogen containing organic matter

• Animals excrete and eliminate nitrogen in urine/feces

• Soil bacteria convert these products into ammonia

• In addition, these bacteria convert the nitrogen compounds in dead plants and animals to ammonia.

• Some of this ammonia is absorbed by plants and used to make protein and nucleic acids

 Nitrification:

• The production of nitrates by ammonia

• Some of the ammonia in the soil is converted by several different bacteria into nitrates

• The nitrates are absorbed by the plants

 Dentrification:

• The conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas

• Another kind of bacteria acts on the remaining nitrate, converting it back into nitrogen

• This gas is released into the atmosphere