Nitrogen

Question 1

What is the most abundant molecule in the atmosphere

Answer 1

Nitrogen (N2) it is stable and inert. makes up 78%

Question 2

how can n2 be broken

Answer 2

nitrogen fixation and lightning

Question 3

what are the primary nutrients for plant growth

Answer 3

nitrogen
phosphorous
potassium

Question 4

two types of fixation

Answer 4

by rhizobia and frankia or phytoplankton in water
OR
Haber Bosch process

Question 5

what happens when lightning fixes nitrogen

Answer 5

creates nitric acid, which can bond with water molecules in atmosphere and create acid rain

Question 6

Haber bosch process

Answer 6

for creating a synthetic fertilizer, uses methane gas as a catalyst.

Question 7

eutrophication

Answer 7

Nutrients enter water (excess nutrients can come from agriculture and urban runoff); then the nutrients cause plants and algae to grow more rapidly. As the plants get thick in the water, light is diminished, causing algae to begin to die lower in the water column. When the algae dies, it is decomposed by bacteria, these bacteria require oxygen from the water. As more of the decomposition occurs because of excess algae growth, oxygen becomes depleted. They is how increased nutrient runoff can cause a hypoxic (low oxygen) or anoxic (no oxygen) state to occur.

Question 8

impacts of increased nitrogen loading to environmental systems

Answer 8

increased production of food, increase runoff of nitrogen to water bodies–>eutrophication

Question 9

How do each of these cycle interact? How does land use change where water, carbon and nitrogen are stored and ecosystem services?

Answer 9

think