Nitrogen Cycle

is molecular dinitrogen, a relatively nonreactive molecule that is metabolically useless to all but a few microorganisms.

nitrogen fixing bacteria

Nitrogen fixation is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted by either a natural or an industrial

plants

Nitrogen is so vital because it is a major component of chlorophyll, the compound by which plants use sunlight energy to produce sugars from water and carbon dioxide

animals

Animals get the nitrogen they need by eating plants or other animals that contain nitrogen.

animal waste

Animal agriculture manure is a primary source of nitrogen and phosphorus to surface and groundwater.

denitrifying bacteria

Denitrifying bacteria, microorganisms whose action results in the conversion of nitrates in soil to free atmospheric nitrogen,

soil nitrates

Nitrate is water soluble so can leach out of soils and pollute watercourses.

Nitrifying Bacteria

Nitrifying bacteria are organisms that include species of the genera Nitrosomonas, Nitrosococcus, Nitrobacter and Nitrococcus. These bacteria get their energy by the oxidation of inorganic nitrogen compounds.

atmospheric nitrogen

Nitrogen Cycle