Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

THE NITROGEN CYCLE.

Published byAaron Hudnall Modified over 9 years ago

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "THE NITROGEN CYCLE."— Presentation transcript:

1 THE NITROGEN CYCLE

2 Warm Up How much of the atmosphere is made up of Nitrogen?
Why do plants and animals need nitrogen? Read “The nitrogen cycle” and answer questions 1-10

3 What is Nitrogen? -the most abundant element in the earths atmosphere (78% of the atmosphere) -can’t be absorbed by animals/plants until it is converted by the nitrogen cycle -needed to make protein

4

5 Nitrogen Fixation-converting nitrogen to ammonia.
Bacteria along with electrical storms can help convert Nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH4+) Lightning provides sufficient energy to split the nitrogen atoms of nitrogen gas Forming oxides of nitrogen NOx and NO2 © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

6 Nitrification-Ammonia to Nitrates by Bacteria
This involves two oxidation processes The ammonia produced by ammonification is first converted to nitrite (by bacteria): NH3 + 11/2O2  NO2- + H2O The nitrite is then converted to nitrate (by bacteria): NO3- + 1/2O2  NO3- The bacteria to do this are chemoautotrophs © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

7 Ammonification-Nitrogen to Ammonia by decomposition.
Nitrogen enters the soil through the decomposition of protein in dead organic matter Creates ammonia © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

8 Denitrification-Returning Nitrogen to the Atmosphere
Nitrates and nitrites can be used for their oxygen for bacteria once the oxygen is used.....Nitrogen (N2) is returned to atmosphere. 2NO3-  3O2 + N2 2NO2-  2O2 + N2 © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

9 Nitrogen from the atmosphere
Out gasing Atmospheric fixation Atmospheric Nitrogen 4 000 000 000 Gt Root uptake Nitrate NO3- Plant protein Soil organic nitrogen Biological fixation © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

10 Root nodules Alafalfa (Medicago sativa) USDA - ARS
University of Sydney

11 The nitrogen fixers Cyanobacteria are nitrogen fixers that also fix carbon (these are photosynthetic) Rhizobium bacteria are mutualistic with certain plant species e.g. Legumes They grow in root nodules Azotobacter are bacteria associated with the rooting zone (the rhizosphere) of plants in grasslands © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

12 The human impact Atmospheric Nitrogen Industrial fixation
Nitrate NO3- Atmospheric fixation Out gassing Plant protein Atmospheric Nitrogen Ammonium NH4+ Soil organic nitrogen Industrial fixation Biological fixation © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

13 Industrial N-Fixation
The Haber-Bosch Process N2 + 3H2  2NH3 High temperatures (500°C) High pressures (250 atmospheres) The energy require comes from burning fossil fuels (coal, gas or oil) Hydrogen is produced from natural gas (methane) or other hydrocarbon © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

14 The different sources of fixed nitrogen
Production / M tonnes a-1 Biological 175 Industrial 50 Internal Combustion 20 Atmospheric 10 © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

15 Eutrophication-Nitrogen into water.
Nitrogen finding its way into bodies of water Usually washed from draining soil When fertiliser is added to these soils it too will be washed out into water bodies This leads to a serious form of water pollution © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

16 Fertilisers washed into river or lake Sewage or other organic waste
Eutrophication Fertilisers washed into river or lake ALGAL BLOOM Rapid growth of algae Dead leaves New limiting factor imposes itself Sewage or other organic waste Death of algae Decomposers (bacteria) increase in numbers © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

17 Making things worse! Pollution from oil or detergents
Decomposers (bacteria) increase in numbers Pollution from oil or detergents Hot water from industry (Thermal pollution) Increased Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Reduction in dissolved O2 © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

18 The death of a lake Death/emigration of freshwater fauna
Reduction in dissolved O2 ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS Increased nitrite levels NO3-  NO2- Death/emigration of freshwater fauna Methaemoglobinaemia in infants Stomach cancer link (WHO limit for nitrates 10mg dm-3) © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWS

Download ppt "THE NITROGEN CYCLE."

Similar presentations

What is the Nitrogen cycle The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the transformations of nitrogen and nitrogen- containing compounds.

What is the Nitrogen cycle The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the transformations of nitrogen and nitrogen- containing compounds.
Section 3: Cycling of Matter

Section 3: Cycling of Matter
The Nitrogen Cycle Ch 7 Part 3.

The Nitrogen Cycle Ch 7 Part 3.
NITROGEN CYCLE. Where is nitrogen found in the environment.

NITROGEN CYCLE. Where is nitrogen found in the environment.
Nitrogen Cycle The nitrogen cycle is the movement of nitrogen through different environmental segments.

Nitrogen Cycle The nitrogen cycle is the movement of nitrogen through different environmental segments.
Learning outcomes Describe the cycle of carbon through the ecosystem Describe how humans have affected the carbon cycle.

Learning outcomes Describe the cycle of carbon through the ecosystem Describe how humans have affected the carbon cycle.
THE NITROGEN CYCLE. Nitrates are essential for plant growth Root uptake Nitrate NO 3 - Plant protein © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWSODWS.

THE NITROGEN CYCLE. Nitrates are essential for plant growth Root uptake Nitrate NO 3 - Plant protein © 2008 Paul Billiet ODWSODWS.
The Nitrogen Cycle A2 OCR Biology Asking questions is a sign of INTELLIGENCE Unfortunately all questions must wait until the end of the lecture.

The Nitrogen Cycle A2 OCR Biology Asking questions is a sign of INTELLIGENCE Unfortunately all questions must wait until the end of the lecture.
The Nitrogen Cycle An essential part of proteins, DNA and other compounds needed for life…

The Nitrogen Cycle An essential part of proteins, DNA and other compounds needed for life…
The Nitrogen Cycle: Who Cares? Nitrogen is an essential component of the amino acids that make up proteins and is a basic element of living things.

The Nitrogen Cycle: Who Cares? Nitrogen is an essential component of the amino acids that make up proteins and is a basic element of living things.
1.4.8 Nutrient Recycling. 2 Need to know Define the term: nutrient recycling by organisms. 1.Outline and draw the Carbon Cycle. 2.Outline and draw the.

1.4.8 Nutrient Recycling. 2 Need to know Define the term: nutrient recycling by organisms. 1.Outline and draw the Carbon Cycle. 2.Outline and draw the.
Earth Science/Biology Standard 7a. Students know the carbon cycle of photosynthesis and respiration and the nitrogen cycle.

Earth Science/Biology Standard 7a. Students know the carbon cycle of photosynthesis and respiration and the nitrogen cycle.
The Water Cycle Water cycles between the oceans, atmosphere and land. All living organisms require water. A. Water enters the atmosphere as water vapor,

The Water Cycle Water cycles between the oceans, atmosphere and land. All living organisms require water. A. Water enters the atmosphere as water vapor,
The Carbon Cycle.

The Carbon Cycle.
The Nitrogen Cycle Science 10 “Old Outcomes”. The Importance of Nitrogen Nitrogen is a main ingredient in fertilizer. Why does fertilizer produce better.

The Nitrogen Cycle Science 10 “Old Outcomes”. The Importance of Nitrogen Nitrogen is a main ingredient in fertilizer. Why does fertilizer produce better.
Matter is not created or destroyed Law of Conservation of Matter.

Matter is not created or destroyed Law of Conservation of Matter.
BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES. The flow of energy in the biosphere is in one direction only: from the sun, through living organisms, into the environment, and.

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES. The flow of energy in the biosphere is in one direction only: from the sun, through living organisms, into the environment, and.
Where Nitrogen is Stored Large Stores In the atmosphere where it exists as a gas (78%) Oceans and within organic matter in soil Small Stores Within terrestrial.

Where Nitrogen is Stored Large Stores In the atmosphere where it exists as a gas (78%) Oceans and within organic matter in soil Small Stores Within terrestrial.
Carbon & Nitrogen Cycles. Recycling Matter All things living are made of matter Total amount of matter on Earth is limited, so it must be recycled again.

Carbon & Nitrogen Cycles. Recycling Matter All things living are made of matter Total amount of matter on Earth is limited, so it must be recycled again.
The Nitrogen Cycle.

The Nitrogen Cycle.

Similar presentations

Ads by Google