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Certain plants (notably legumes - beans) and many bacteria act as nitrogen fixing agents, taking nitrogen from the air and producing nitrogen compounds by combining nitrogen with other elements. Nitrogen fixation can also occur as a result of lightning and some human activities, such as combustion.
Other than that, it stays in the atmosphere, and fixed nitrogen eventually returns to the atmosphere, as well, to begin the cycle again.
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ViviAtmospheric nitrogen refers to the nitrogen gas (N2) that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere. This nitrogen is inert and not readily available for use by most organisms unless it is converted into more biologically accessible forms through processes like nitrogen fixation.
Nitrogen acts as a diluent in the atmosphere. Pure oxygen would be too rich to breathe and make ignition and fires treacherous. Also nitrogen and oxygen react in the atmosphere when there is high energy with a bolt of lightning and thus when it rains there is a natural fertilizer.
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Does the nitrogen cycle have no atmospheric component?
No, the nitrogen cycle has an atmospheric component. Nitrogen gas (N2) in the atmosphere is converted into compounds that can be used by living organisms through processes like nitrogen fixation and denitrification. This atmospheric nitrogen is essential for the functioning of the nitrogen cycle on Earth.
In the nitrogen cycle are there any abiotic conversions of atmospheric nitrogen to biologically active nitrogen such as nitrate or ammonia?
Yes, in the nitrogen cycle, atmospheric nitrogen is converted to biologically active forms through a process called nitrogen fixation. This can occur through abiotic processes, such as lightning or industrial methods, where atmospheric nitrogen is converted to ammonia or nitrate that can be used by plants.
How atmospheric nitrogen enters the soil?
Typically, atmospheric nitrogen gets into the soil by nitrogen-fixing bacteria that are symbiotic with such plants as clover, soybeans and alfalfa. Bacteria in the plant extract nitrogen from the air, and when the plants die, the nitrogen remains in the soil as the plant decays.
What are the differences between atmospheric nitrogen and laboratory nitrogen?
Atmospheric nitrogen is the nitrogen gas present in the Earth's atmosphere, primarily in the form of N2 molecules. Laboratory nitrogen typically refers to pure nitrogen gas produced in a lab setting. While both contain nitrogen gas, laboratory nitrogen is often purified and free of impurities, making it suitable for various scientific experiments and applications.
What converts organic nitrogen into atmospheric nitrogen?
Denitrifying bacteria play a key role in converting organic nitrogen compounds in the soil back into atmospheric nitrogen through a process called denitrification. This process helps to replenish the nitrogen cycle by releasing nitrogen gas back into the atmosphere.
