The Nitrogen Cycle

THE NITROGEN CYCLE

by Anton Antonio

April 18, 2015

The nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms.  This transformation is carried out through both biological and physical processes.  The important processes involved in the nitrogen cycle include fixation (the action of making something firm or stable), ammonification (decomposition with the production ammonia or ammonium compounds especially by the action of bacteria on nitrogenous organic matter), nitrification (the biological oxidation of ammonia or ammonium to nitrate followed by the oxidation of the nitrite to nitrate), and denitrification (a microbially facilitated process of nitrate reduction that may ultimately produce molecular nitrogen (N2) through a series of intermediate gaseous nitrogen oxide products).

Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere which accounts for 78% of the total gases.  Being a gas element that dominates the atmosphere, the nitrogen cycle holds a very influential position in the complex and interactive system of cycles in the ecosystem.  Concerns over the environment will certainly be better appreciated if equal attention is given to the nitrogen cycle.

Just my little thoughts…

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