Environment - Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen cycle is an important part of the ecosystem. In this PDF, we shall explore
its implications on the environment in detail.
Nitrogen Cycle Definition :-

“Nitrogen Cycle is a biogeochemical process which transforms the inert nitrogen
present in the atmosphere to a more usable form for living organisms.”
Furthermore, nitrogen is a key nutrient element for plants. However, the abundant
nitrogen in the atmosphere cannot be used directly by plants or animals.
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What is the Nitrogen Cycle ?
Nitrogen Cycle is a biogeochemical process through which nitrogen is converted
into many forms, consecutively passing from the atmosphere to the soil to
organism and back into the atmosphere.
It involves several processes such as nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification,
decay and putrefaction.
Nitrogen gas exists in both organic and inorganic forms. Organic nitrogen exists
in living organisms, and they get passed through the food chain by the
consumption of other living organisms.
Inorganic forms of nitrogen are found in abundance in the atmosphere.
This nitrogen is made available to plants by symbiotic bacteria which can convert
the inert nitrogen into a usable form – such as nitrites and nitrates.
Nitrogen undergoes various types of transformation to maintain a balance in the
ecosystem. Furthermore, this process extends to various biomes, with the marine
nitrogen cycle being one of the most complicated biogeochemical cycles.
Nitrogen Cycle Explained – Stages of Nitrogen Cycle :-

Process of the Nitrogen Cycle consists of the following steps – Nitrogen
fixation, Nitrification, Assimilation, Ammonification and Denitrification. These
processes take place in several stages and are explained below :
Nitrogen Fixation Process :-

It is the initial step of the nitrogen cycle. Here, Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) which is
primarily available in an inert form, is converted into the usable form -ammonia
(NH3).
During the process of Nitrogen fixation, the inert form of nitrogen gas is deposited
into soils from the atmosphere and surface waters, mainly through precipitation.
The entire process of Nitrogen fixation is completed by symbiotic bacteria, which
are known as Diazotrophs. Azotobacter and Rhizobium also have a major role in
this process. These bacteria consist of a nitrogenase enzyme, which has the
capability to combine gaseous nitrogen with hydrogen to form ammonia.
Nitrogen fixation can occur either by atmospheric fixation- which involves
lightening, or industrial fixation by manufacturing ammonia under high
temperature and pressure conditions. This can also be fixed through man-made
processes, primarily industrial processes that create ammonia and nitrogen-rich
fertilisers.
Types of Nitrogen Fixation
1. Atmospheric fixation : A natural phenomenon where the energy of lightning

breaks the nitrogen into nitrogen oxides, which are then used by plants.
2. Industrial nitrogen fixation : It is a man-made alternative that aids in

nitrogen fixation by the use of ammonia. Ammonia is produced by the direct
combination of nitrogen and hydrogen. Later, it is converted into various
fertilisers such as urea.
3. Biological nitrogen fixation : We already know that nitrogen is not used

directly from the air by plants and animals. Bacteria like Rhizobium and
blue-green algae transform the unusable form of nitrogen into other
compounds that are more readily usable. These nitrogen compounds get
fixed in the soil by these microbes.
Nitrification :-
In this process, the ammonia is converted into nitrate by the presence of bacteria
in the soil. Nitrites are formed by the oxidation of ammonia with the help
of Nitrosomonas bacteria species. Later, the produced nitrites are converted into
nitrates by Nitrobacter. This conversion is very important as ammonia gas is toxic
for plants.
The reaction involved in the process of Nitrification is as follows :
2NH3 + 3O2 → 2NO2– + 2H+ + 2H2O
2NO2– + O2 → 2NO3–
Assimilation :-
Primary producers – plants take in the nitrogen compounds from the soil with the
help of their roots, which are available in the form of ammonia, nitrite ions, nitrate
ions or ammonium ions and are used in the formation of the plant and animal
proteins. This way, it enters the food web when the primary consumers eat the
plants.
Ammonification :-
When plants or animals die, the nitrogen present in the organic matter is released
back into the soil. The decomposers, namely bacteria or fungi present in the soil,
convert the organic matter back into ammonium. This process of
decomposition produces ammonia, which is further used for other biological
processes.
Denitrification :-
Denitrification is the process in which the nitrogen compounds make their way
back into the atmosphere by converting nitrate (NO3-) into gaseous nitrogen (N).
This process of the nitrogen cycle is the final stage and occurs in the absence of
oxygen. Denitrification is carried out by the denitrifying bacterial species-
Clostridium and Pseudomonas, which will process nitrate to gain oxygen and
gives out free nitrogen gas as a byproduct.
Nitrogen Cycle in Marine Ecosystem :-

The process of the nitrogen cycle occurs in the same manner in the marine
ecosystem as in the terrestrial ecosystem. The only difference is that it is carried
out by marine bacteria.
The nitrogen-containing compounds fall into the ocean as sediments get
compressed over long periods and form sedimentary rock. Due to the geological
uplift, these sedimentary rocks move to land. Initially, it was not known that these
nitrogen-containing sedimentary rocks are an essential source of nitrogen. But,
recent researches have proved that the nitrogen from these rocks is released into
the plants due to the weathering of rocks.
Importance of Nitrogen Cycle :-
The importance of the nitrogen cycle are as follows :
1. Helps plants to synthesise chlorophyll from the nitrogen compounds.

2. Helps in converting inert nitrogen gas into a usable form for the plants
through the biochemical process.
3. In the process of ammonification, the bacteria help in decomposing the
animal and plant matter, which indirectly helps to clean up the environment.
4. Nitrates and nitrites are released into the soil, which helps in enriching the
soil with the necessary nutrients required for cultivation.
5. Nitrogen is an integral component of the cell and it forms many crucial
compounds and important biomolecules.
Nitrogen is also cycled by human activities such as the combustion of fuels and the
use of nitrogen fertilisers. These processes increase the levels of nitrogen-
containing compounds in the atmosphere. The fertilisers containing nitrogen are
washed away in lakes, rivers and result in eutrophication.

Environment - Nitrogen Cycle

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Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle Definition :-

Nitrogen Cycle Explained – Stages of Nitrogen Cycle :-

Nitrogen Fixation Process :-

Types of Nitrogen Fixation

1. Atmospheric fixation : A natural phenomenon where the energy of lightning

2. Industrial nitrogen fixation : It is a man-made alternative that aids in

3. Biological nitrogen fixation : We already know that nitrogen is not used

Nitrogen Cycle in Marine Ecosystem :-

1. Helps plants to synthesise chlorophyll from the nitrogen compounds.

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