biogeochemical cycles-nitrogen

Question 1

where is nitrogen found in the lithosphere

Answer 1

soil-nitrates ect.
rocks-minerals containing nitrogen.

Question 2

what is ionisation

Answer 2

lightning provide energy for nitrogen and oxygen to react to produce oxides of nitrogen.

Question 3

what is fixation

Answer 3

some microorganisms can chemically reduce nitrogen to ammonia e.g symbiotic bacteria is root nodules.

Question 4

what is dentrification

Answer 4

chemical reduction of nitrates in soil to nitrogen and nitrogen oxide gas.

Question 5

leaching

Answer 5

the high solubility of nitates means they are easily leached out of soils into water bodies.

Question 6

ammonification

Answer 6

decomposition-amino groups are released

Question 7

how does the harber process effect the nitrogen cycle

Answer 7

producing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen using an iron catayst, this sues large amounts of energy. Ammonia can then be converted into nitrates for agricultural processes.

Question 8

what effect does agriculture have on the nitrogen cycle

Answer 8

nitrate fertilisers-increase problems caused by leahate and eutrophication.
-soil disturbance increases decomposition increasing more nitrogen oxides.

Question 9

sustainable management of the nitrogen cycle

Answer 9

control of combustion processes-reduce Nox release
-control of NOx release - catalytic convertors.
–managemnt of biological wastes.
-eutrophication.
organic fertilizers.
-management of soil processes.
e.g cultivation og legumenous crops.