Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms. This transformation can be carried out through both biological and physical processes. Important processes in the nitrogen cycle include fixation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification. The majority of Earth's atmosphere (78%) is nitrogen,[1] making it the largest pool of nitrogen. However, atmospheric nitrogen has limited availability for biological use, leading to a scarcity of usable nitrogen in many types of ecosystems. The nitrogen cycle is of particular interest to ecologists because nitrogen availability can affect the rate of key ecosystem processes, including primary production and decomposition. Human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, use of artificial nitrogen fertilizers, and release of nitrogen in wastewater have dramatically altered the global nitrogen cycle[citation needed ]. A 2011 study found that nitrogen from rocks may also be a significant source of nitrogen, that had not previously been included in most calculations and statistics.[2][3][4]
A simple and complete diagram of the nitrogen cycle. The blue boxes represent stores of nitrogen, the green writing is for processes that occur to move the nitrogen from one place to another and the red writing are all the bacteria involved.
Contents
1 Ecological function 2 The processes of the nitrogen cycle 2.1 Nitrogen fixation 2.1.1 Conversion of N2 2.2 Assimilation 2.3 Ammonification 2.4 Nitrification 2.5 Denitrification 2.6 Anaerobic ammonium oxidation
3 Marine nitrogen cycle 3.1 New vs. regenerated nitrogen 4 Human influences on the nitrogen cycle 4.1 Wastewater treatment 4.2 Environmental impacts 5 References
Ecological function
Nitrogen is essential for many processes and is crucial for any life on Earth. It is a component in all amino acids, as incorporated into proteins, and is present in the bases that make up nucleic acids, such as RNA and DNA. In plants, much of the nitrogen is used in chlorophyll molecules, which are essential for photosynthesis and further growth.[5] Although Earths atmosphere is an abundant source of nitrogen, most is relatively unusable by plants.[6] Chemical processing, or natural fixation (through processes such as bacterial conversionsee rhizobium), are necessary to convert gaseous nitrogen into forms usable by living organisms, which makes nitrogen a crucial component of food production. The abundance or scarcity of this "fixed" form of nitrogen, (also known as reactive nitrogen), dictates how much food can be grown on a piece of land. The nitrogen cycle and the carbon cycle work together to maintain an ecosystem.
Schematic representation of the flow of nitrogen through the environment. The importance of bacteria in the cycle is immediately recognized as being a key element in the cycle, providing different forms of nitrogen compounds assimilable by higher organisms.
Nitrogen fixation
Main article: Nitrogen fixation Atmospheric nitrogen must be processed, or "fixed" (see page on nitrogen fixation), to be used by plants. Some fixation occurs in lightning strikes, but most fixation is done by free-living or symbiotic bacteria. These bacteria have the nitrogenase enzyme that combines gaseous nitrogen with hydrogen to produce ammonia, which is then further converted by the bacteria to make their own organic compounds. Most biological nitrogen fixation occurs by the
activity of Mo-nitrogenase, found in a wide variety of bacteria and some Archaea. Mo-nitrogenase is a complex two component enzyme that has multiple metal-containing prosthetic groups.[7] Some nitrogen fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium, live in the root nodules of legumes (such as peas or beans). Here they form a mutualistic relationship with the plant, producing ammonia in exchange for carbohydrates. Nutrient-poor soils can be planted with legumes to enrich them with nitrogen. A few other plants can form such symbioses. Today, about 30% of the total fixed nitrogen is manufactured in ammonia chemical plants.[8] Conversion of N2 The conversion of nitrogen (N2) from the atmosphere into a form readily available to plants and hence to animals is an important step in the nitrogen cycle, which distributes the supply of this essential nutrient. There are four ways to convert N2 (atmospheric nitrogen gas) into more chemically reactive forms:[5] 1. Biological fixation: some symbiotic bacteria (most often associated with leguminous plants) and some freeliving bacteria are able to fix nitrogen as organic nitrogen. An example of mutualistic nitrogen fixing bacteria are the Rhizobium bacteria, which live in legume root nodules. These species are diazotrophs. An example of the free-living bacteria is Azotobacter. 2. Industrial N-fixation: Under great pressure, at a temperature of 600 C, and with the use of an iron catalyst, hydrogen (usually derived from natural gas or petroleum) and atmospheric nitrogen can be combined to form ammonia (NH3) in the Haber-Bosch process which is used to make fertilizer and explosives. 3. Combustion of fossil fuels: automobile engines and thermal power plants, which release various nitrogen oxides (NOx). 4. Other processes: In addition, the formation of NO from N2 and O2 due to photons and especially lightning, can fix nitrogen.
Assimilation
Main articles: Assimilation (biology) and Nitrogen assimilation Plants take nitrogen from the soil, by absorption through their roots in the form of either nitrate ions or ammonium ions. All nitrogen obtained by animals can be traced back to the eating of plants at some stage of the food chain. Plants can absorb nitrate or ammonium ions from the soil via their root hairs. If nitrate is absorbed, it is first reduced to nitrite ions and then ammonium ions for incorporation into amino acids, nucleic acids, and chlorophyll.[5] In plants that have a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia, some nitrogen is assimilated in the form of ammonium ions directly from the nodules. It is now known that there is a more complex cycling of amino acids between Rhizobia bacteroids and plants. The plant provides amino acids to the bacteroids so ammonia assimilation is not required and the bacteroids pass amino acids (with the newly fixed nitrogen) back to the plant, thus forming an interdependent relationship.[9] While many animals, fungi, and other heterotrophic organisms obtain nitrogen by ingestion of amino acids, nucleotides and other small organic molecules, other heterotrophs (including many bacteria) are able to utilize inorganic compounds, such as ammonium as sole N sources. Utilization of various N sources is carefully regulated in all organisms.
Ammonification
The term ammonification can be defined as impregnation with ammonia or a compound of ammonia. It is the process in which pure forms of nitrogen are converted to ammonium by decomposers or bacteria. When a plant or animal dies, or an animal expels waste, the initial form of nitrogen is organic. Bacteria, or fungi in some cases, convert the organic nitrogen within the remains back into ammonium (NH4+), a process called ammonification or mineralization. Enzymes Involved are: GS: Gln Synthetase (Cytosolic & PLastid) GOGAT: Glu 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (Ferredoxin & NADH dependent) GDH: Glu Dehydrogenase: Minor Role in ammonium assimilation. Important in nucleic acid metabolism.
Nitrification
Main article: Nitrification The conversion of ammonia to nitrate is performed primarily by soil-living bacteria and other nitrifying bacteria. In the primary stage of nitrification, the oxidation of ammonium (NH4+) is performed by bacteria such as the Nitrosomonas species, which converts ammonia to nitrites (NO2-). Other bacterial species, such as the Nitrobacter, are responsible for the oxidation of the nitrites into nitrates (NO3-).[5] It is important for the ammonia to be converted to nitrates because accumulated nitrites are toxic to plant life. Due to their very high solubility, and because soils are largely unable to retain anions, nitrates can enter groundwater. Elevated nitrate in groundwater is a concern for drinking water use because nitrate can interfere with blood-oxygen levels in infants and cause methemoglobinemia or blue-baby syndrome.[10][11] Where groundwater recharges stream flow, nitrate-enriched groundwater can contribute to eutrophication, a process that leads to high algal, especially blue-green algal populations. While not directly toxic to fish life, like ammonia, nitrate can have indirect effects on fish if it contributes to this eutrophication. Nitrogen has contributed to severe eutrophication problems in some water bodies. Since 2006, the application of nitrogen fertilizer has been increasingly controlled in Britain and the United States. This is occurring along the same lines as control of phosphorus fertilizer, restriction of which is normally considered essential to the recovery of eutrophied waterbodies.
Denitrification
Main article: Denitrification Denitrification is the reduction of nitrates back into the largely inert nitrogen gas (N2), completing the nitrogen cycle. This process is performed by bacterial species such as Pseudomonas and Clostridium in anaerobic conditions.[5] They use the nitrate as an electron acceptor in the place of oxygen during respiration. These facultatively anaerobic bacteria can also live in aerobic conditions.
In this biological process, nitrite and ammonium are converted directly into molecular nitrogen (N2) gas. This process makes up a major proportion of nitrogen conversion in the oceans.
NH4+ and NO2 show a maximum concentration at 5080 m (lower end of the euphotic zone) with decreasing
NH4+ and NO2 show a maximum concentration at 5080 m (lower end of the euphotic zone) with decreasing concentration below that depth. This distribution can be accounted for by the fact that NO2 and NH4+ are intermediate species. They are both rapidly produced and consumed through the water column.[13] The amount of NH4+ in the ocean is about 3 orders of magnitude less than nitrate.[13] Between NH4+, NO2, and NO3, NO2 has the fastest turnover rate. It can be produced during NO3 assimilation, nitrification, and denitrification; however, it is immediately consumed again.
The higher combustion temperature of hydrogen produces more NOx than natural gas combustion. The very-high temperature of lightning produces small amounts of NOx, NH3, and HNO3. Ammonia and nitrous oxides actively alter atmospheric chemistry. They are precursors of tropospheric (lower atmosphere) ozone production, which contributes to smog, and acid rain, damages plants and increases nitrogen inputs to ecosystems.[5] Ecosystem processes can increase with nitrogen fertilization, but anthropogenic input can also result in nitrogen saturation, which weakens productivity and can damage the health of plants, animals, fish, and humans.[11] Decreases in biodiversity can also result if higher nitrogen availability increases nitrogen-demanding grasses, causing a degradation of nitrogen-poor, species diverse heathlands.[21]
Wastewater treatment
Onsite sewage facilities such as septic tanks and holding tanks release large amounts of nitrogen into the environment by discharging through a drainfield into the ground. Microbial activity consumes the nitrogen and other contaminants in the wastewater. However, in certain areas, the soil is unsuitable and some or all of the wastewater, with the contaminants, enters the aquifers. These contaminants accumulate and eventually end up in drinking water. One of the contaminants most concerned about is nitrogen in the form of nitrates. A nitrate concentration of 10 ppm (parts per million) or 10 milligrams per liter is the current EPA limit for drinking water and typical household wastewater can produce a range of 2085 ppm. One health risk associated with drinking water (with >10 ppm nitrate) is the development of methemoglobinemia and has been found to cause blue baby syndrome. Several American states have now started programs to introduce advanced wastewater treatment systems to the typical onsite sewage facilities. The result of these systems is an overall reduction of nitrogen, as well as other contaminants in the wastewater.
Environmental impacts
Additional risks posed by increased availability of inorganic nitrogen in aquatic ecosystems include water acidification; eutrophication of fresh and saltwater systems; and toxicity issues for animals, including humans.[22] Eutrophication often leads to lower dissolved oxygen levels in the water column, including hypoxic and anoxic conditions, which can cause death of aquatic fauna. Relatively sessile benthos, or bottom-dwelling creatures, are particularly vulnerable because of their lack of mobility, though large fish kills are not uncommon. Oceanic dead zones near the mouth of the Mississippi in the Gulf of Mexico are a well-known examples of algal bloom-induced hypoxia.[23][24] The New York Adirondack Lakes, Catskills, Hudson Highlands, Rensselaer Plateau and parts of Long Island display the impact of nitric acid rain deposition, resulting in the killing of fish and many other aquatic species.[25] Ammonia (NH3) is highly toxic to fish and the level of ammonia discharged from wastewater treatment facilities must be closely monitored. To prevent fish deaths, nitrification via aeration prior to discharge is often desirable. Land application can be an attractive alternative to the aeration.
References
1. ^ Steven B. Carroll; Steven D. Salt (2004). Ecology for gardeners (http://books.google.com/books?
1. ^ Steven B. Carroll; Steven D. Salt (2004). Ecology for gardeners (http://books.google.com/books? id=aM4W9e5nmsoC&pg=PA93). Timber Press. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-88192-611-8. 2. ^ "Nitrogen Study Could 'Rock' A Plant's World" (http://www.npr.org/2011/09/06/140206913/discovery-forcesscientists-to-rethink-nitrogen). 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-10-22. 3. ^ Schuur, E. A. G. (2011). "Ecology: Nitrogen from the deep". Nature 477 (7362): 3940. doi:10.1038/477039a (http://dx.doi.org/10.1038%2F477039a). PMID 21886152 (//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21886152). 4. ^ Morford, S. L.; Houlton, B. Z.; Dahlgren, R. A. (2011). "Increased forest ecosystem carbon and nitrogen storage from nitrogen rich bedrock". Nature 477 (7362): 7881. doi:10.1038/nature10415 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1038%2Fnature10415). PMID 21886160 (//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21886160). 5. ^ a b c d e f Smil, V (2000). Cycles of Life. Scientific American Library, New York., 2000) 6. ^ Nitrogen: The Essential Element. Nancy M. Trumann and Keith S. Porter. Center for Environmental Research, Cornell Cooperative Extension 7. ^ Moir, JWB (editor) (2011). Nitrogen Cycling in Bacteria: Molecular Analysis. Caister Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-904455-86-8. 8. ^ Smith, B., R. L. Richards, and W. E. Newton. 2004. Catalysts for nitrogen fixation : nitrogenases, relevant chemical models and commercial processes. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht ; Boston. 9. ^ Willey, Joanne M. (2011). Prescott's Microbiology 8th Ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill. p. 705. ISBN 978-007-337526-7. 10. ^ "Nitrogen Cycle" (http://extension.missouri.edu/p/WQ252). 11. ^ a b c Vitousek, PM; Aber, J; Howarth, RW; Likens, GE; Matson, PA; Schindler, DW; Schlesinger, WH; Tilman, GD (1997). "Human alteration of the global nitrogen cycle: Sources and consequences". Issues in Ecology 1 (3): 1 17. doi:10.1890/1051-0761(1997)007[0737:HAOTGN]2.0.CO;2 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1890%2F10510761%281997%29007%5B0737%3AHAOTGN%5D2.0.CO%3B2). 12. ^ a b Miller, Charles (2008). Biological Oceanography. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148 USA: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. pp. 6062. ISBN 978-0-632-05536-4. 13. ^ a b c d Gruber, Nicolas (2008). Nitrogen in the Marine Environment. 30 Corporate Drive, Suite 400, Burlington, MA 01803: Elsevier. pp. 135. ISBN 978-0-12-372522-6. 14. ^ Miller, Charles (2008). Biological oceanography. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148 USA: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. pp. 6062. ISBN 978-0-632-05536-4. 15. ^ Boyes, Elliot, Susan, Michael. "Learning Unit: Nitrogen Cycle Marine Environment" (http://www.chemgapedia.de/vsengine/vlu/vsc/en/ch/16/uc/vlus/nitrogenmarine.vlu.html). Retrieved 22 October 2011. 16. ^ Lalli, Parsons, Carol, Timothy (1997). Biological oceanography: An introduction. Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-7506-3384-0. 17. ^ Lalli, Parsons, Carol, Timothy (1997). Biological Oceanography: An introduction. Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-7506-3384-0. 18. ^ Holland, Elisabeth A.; Dentener, Frank J.; Braswell, Bobby H.; Sulzman, James M. (1999). "Contemporary and pre-industrial global reactive nitrogen budgets". Biogeochemistry 46: 7. doi:10.1007/BF01007572 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1007%2FBF01007572). 19. ^ Chapin, S.F. III, Matson, P.A., Mooney H.A. 2002. Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. (http://books.google.com/books?id=OOH1H779-7EC&pg=PA345) Springer, New York 2002 ISBN 0-387-954430, p.345 20. ^ Proceedings of the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) International Biofuels Project Rapid Assessment, 2225 September 2008, Gummersbach, Germany, R.W. Howarth and S. Bringezu, editors. 2009 Executive Summary, p. 3 (http://cip.cornell.edu/biofuels/) 21. ^ Aerts, Rien and Berendse, Frank (1988). "The Effect of Increased Nutrient Availability on Vegetation Dynamics in Wet Heathlands". Vegetatio 76 (1/2): 6369. JSTOR 20038308 (//www.jstor.org/stable/20038308). 22. ^ Camargo, J.A. & Alonso, A. (2006). Ecological and toxicological effects of inorganic nitrogen pollution in aquatic ecosystems: A global assessment. Retrieved December 10, 2010, from http://www.aseanenvironment.info/Abstract/41013039.pdf 23. ^ Rabalais, Nancy N., R. Eugene Turner, and William J. Wiseman, Jr. (2002). "Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia, aka "The Dead Zone"". Ann. Rev. Ecol. Sys. 33: 23563. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.33.010802.150513 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1146%2Fannurev.ecolsys.33.010802.150513). JSTOR 3069262