Stages of Nitrogen Cycle
- Created by: Laurenb1997
- Created on: 12-11-14 09:35
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- The Nitrogen Cycle
- 1. Nitrogen Fixation
- Nitrogen gas in the atmosphere is turned into ammonia by bacteria. The ammonia can then be used by plants.
- The bacteria used is found inside root nodules of leguminous plants.
- They form a mutualistic relationship with the plants - providing the plant with nitrogen compounds and the plant provides them with carbohydrates.
- 2. Ammonification
- Nitrogen compounds from dead organisms are turned into ammonium compounds by decomposers
- Animal waste (urine and faeces) also contains nitrogen compounds. These are also turned into ammonium compounds by decomposers.
- 3. Nitrification
- When ammonium compounds in the soil are changed into nitrogen compounds that can then be used by plants.
- First nitrifying bacteria change ammonium compounds into nitrites.
- Then other nitrifying bacteria change nitrites into nitrates.
- 4. Denitrification
- Nitrates in the soil are converted into nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria - they use nitrates in the soil to carry out respiration and produce nitrogen gas.
- This happens under anaerobic conditions e.g. In waterlogged soils.
- 1. Nitrogen Fixation
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