The Nitrogen Cycle.

Nitrogen is an important element in living systems. It is required in both plants and animals for
the formation of proteins. It is present in the atmosphere as a gas in a relatively high
concentration of approximately 79%. However plants and animals cannot simply absorb
nitrogen from the atmosphere into their bodies. The nitrogen gas has to first undergo a process
called nitrogen fixation whereby the nitrogen gas is converted into a special compound called
nitrates.
Nitrogen fixation occurs in either of 3 main ways. Firstly when lightning strikes, it provides
electrical energy in the atmosphere which causes the nitrogen gas to become bonded with
oxygen thereby forming nitrogen oxide. Nitrogen oxide then becomes dissolved in water vapor
in the atmosphere forming nitric acid. This is called acid rain. When the acid rain falls, the nitric
acid is absorbed into the soil and becomes broken down to form nitrate ions in the soil. These
nitrates are then made available in the soil for absorption by plants.
Secondly, nitrogen can be fixed through industrial processes such as the Haber process. In this
process nitrogen gas is converted into granular ammonium fertilizers which farmers can
purchase and apply to the soil. When added to the soil these fertilizers become dissolved in the
soil moisture and eventually break down into nitrates which can then be absorbed by plants
through their roots.
The third method of nitrogen fixation isr through the action of nitrogen fixing bacteria. There are
2 main types of such bacteria.
a) Rhizobium - This type of nitrogen fixing bacteria lives in a mutualistic relationship with
some plants. The bacteria live on the root nodules of leguminous plants and absorb
nitrogen gas present in the air spaces in the soil. They convert this nitrogen gas into
nitrate ions, which can be directly absorbed into the plant roots. This relationship is
described as mutualistic since the plants provide bacteria with a habitat and the bacteria
provide nitrates to the plants, which help the plants to grow well.
b) Clostridium - This is a type of nitrogen fixing bacteria that lives in the soil itself. They
absorb nitrogen gas from the air spaces in the soil and convert it into soil nitrates. The
plants are then able to absorb these nitrate ions from the soil through their roots.

When nitrates are absorbed into a plant, they are used by the plant to make proteins. Upon
consumption by animals, the proteins from the plant material undergo digestion within the
digestive system of the animals. The proteins are thus broken down during digestion, to form
amino acids which further become integrated into the bodies of the animals as animal protein. In
this way nitrogen from the atmosphere becomes fixed to form nitrates, which are then turned
into plant protein, and the plant protein ultimately becomes animal protein.

When plants and animals die, their bodies undergo decomposition. The protein compounds
within their dead bodies are broken down by the decomposing bacteria and fungi to form
ammonium compounds. These ammonium compounds must be converted into nitrates in the
soil. The process by which this conversion occurs is called nitrification. Nitrification occurs in two
major steps. In the first step, the ammonium compounds are converted into nitrites, and this is
carried out by a type of nitrifying bacteria called Nitrosomonas. The second step of nitrification
converts the nitrites into nitrates, and this reaction is facilitated by a type of nitrifying bacteria
called Nitrobacter.
Nitrates from the soil can be converted into atmospheric nitrogen gas by a process called
denitrification. This process is carried out by a type of bacteria called Denitrifying bacteria.
The processes of nitrogen fixation and nitrification are said to increase soil fertility. These
processes add nitrates to the soil, which promote plant growth. On the contrary, the process of
denitrification reduces soil fertility since nitrates are removed from the soil.
Nitrates can also be leached from the soil. Leaching is a process which occurs when there is
excessive flow of water through the soil particles. The soluble nutrients become dissolved in the
soil water and are easily washed away.