Nitrogen cycle and its meaning

Veröffentlicht:

Aktualisiert:

Von:

In the nitrogen cycle The nitrogen cycle is one of the basic bioogochemical cycles that are essential to maintain the ecosystem on earth. This circulation uses nitrogen and recycled. This is of critical importance, since nitrogen is one of the most important elements for life and growth of all organisms. The role of nitrogen nitrogen is an essential component of life. It is needed to form amino acids that represent the basis for proteins. Also essential is nitrogen for the formation of nucleotids, which in turn are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, i.e. our inheritance substance. Also in the formation of chlorophyll, ...
(Symbolbild/natur.wiki)

in the nitrogen cycle

The nitrogen cycle is one of the basic biogueochemical cycles that are essential to maintain the ecosystem on earth. This circulation uses nitrogen and recycled. This is of critical importance, since nitrogen is one of the most important elements for life and the growth of all organisms.

The role of nitrogen

Nitrogen is an essential component of life. It is needed to form amino acids that represent the basis for proteins. Also essential is nitrogen for the formation of nucleotids, which in turn are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, i.e. our inheritance substance. Even in the formation of chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis in plants, nitrogen plays a crucial role.

Despite the enormous amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere - it consists of about 78% of nitrogen gas (N2) - most of the life cannot use this nitrogen directly. This is because the nitrogen atoms in N2 are strongly connected to each other with a triple bond. The conversion or "fixation" of this atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form therefore requires a considerable energy expenditure.

nitrogen fixation

The nitrogen fixation is the process in which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into usable nitrogen compounds by specialized microorganisms - the so -called nitrogen fixers. These microorganisms are usually bacteria that either live freely in the environment or in a symbiosis (a kind of partnership) with plants.

The nitrogen fixation takes place by converting N2 into ammonia (NH3), which is extremely energy -consuming. This process is made possible by the enzyme nitrogenase, which has the ability to break the strong triple bond in N2. As soon as the nitrogen is available in this form, plants can convert it into amino acids and thus form proteins.

The nitrogen cycle in detail

The nitrogen cycle consists of several interwoven processes that are constantly taking place in nature. In addition to the nitrogen fixation already mentioned, these are the nitrification, denitrification and ammonification.

nitrification

The nitrification is a process that runs in two steps and is converted into nitrate (NO3-) by the ammonia (NH3). This conversion is also led by bacteria. In the first step, ammonia is converted into nitrite (NO2) and in the second step into nitrate. Nitrate is the preferred nitrogen source for many plants.

ammonification

The ammonification is the process in which dead biomass is converted into ammonia or ammonium by mushrooms and bacteria. This usually happens in the ground and is an important source of nitrogen available.

denitrification

Denitrification is the opposite of nitrification and nitrogen fixation. This is the process in which nitrate is converted into atmospheric nitrogen again by low -oxygen conditions. This process can take place in low -oxygen floors and water and leads to nitrogen from the ecosystems and gets back into the atmosphere.

human influence on the nitrogen cycle

Man has significantly influenced the natural nitrogen cycle through numerous activities. In particular, the industrial extraction of nitrogen for the production of fertilizer and the combustion of fossil fuels have meant that formerly bound nitrogen now gets into the environment as a reactive nitrogen.

over -fertilization

The production and excessive use of fertilizer gets a large part of this reactive nitrogen into the environment. This can lead to over -fertilization and thus to the eutrophication of the waters. This means that too many nutrients get into the waters, which enormously accelerates the growth of certain plants and algae. When these plants and algae die, their decay leads to a lack of oxygen in the water - with devastating consequences for the navy.

end

The nitrogen cycle is a biologically and chemically complex process that is of crucial importance for life on earth. Without the nitrogen cycle, the essential nitrogen compounds that need all life forms would not be available. Nevertheless, it is important that we coordinate our activities in order not to endanger the natural balance of this cycle. Our understanding of the nitrogen cycle and its importance are therefore crucial to maintain the diversity of life on our planet.