Nitrogen and Phosphorus cycles Flashcards
how much of the earths atmosphere is nitrogen
78.1%
Which processes are involved in nitrogen cycle
“Nitrogen fixation,nitrification,ammonification and dentrification ‘
Nitrogen fixation
Bacteria converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonium (NH4)
Nitrification
Other bacteria convert ammonium(NH4) into nitrate (NO3) or lighting can convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates (NO3)
Ammonification
Detritus is decomposed and NH4is released back into soil and most of it is converted into NO3 or NO2 which plants can use
Denitrification
Some bacteria use the oxygen from NO3 and NO2 and the remaining Nitrogen is returned back into atmosphere
Reservoirs for nitrogen
Soil and the atmosphere
Human impacts on nitrogen cycle
Agricultural: removes nitrogen from soil
Deforestation: removes nitrogen from soil
Fertalization : returns nitrogen and phosphorus to soil
Fertilizers may also
’ Create acidic soil and limit ‘lt types of bacteria that can grow there e whore less decomposition and can run off ( water flowing down a mountain ) into H2O and cause algal blooms which deer decreases O2 levels, fish to die and increase decomposes (bacteria)
Overpopulation
Too much excretion nitrogen found in urine
Which vital organic compounds vital for life contain nitrogen
DNA and proteins
What are two sources of fixed nitrogen that plants use
NO3 and NO2
Flow chart of conversion of atmospheric nitrogen
N2>NH4>NO2>NO3
What causes nitrogen to react with oxygen and produce nitrates
Lighting and bacteria
What are fertilizers
Nitrogen and phosphorus
Can atmospheric nitrogen be used by organisms
By many no that’s why it’s needed to be converted into NO3 and NO2 or NH4
Nitrogen in the air how it exists n uses
78.1% of atmosphere is made up of nitrogen but it cannot be used in that form by many organisms and just exists in air
Nitrogen in water existence and function how its converted
Nitrogen gas is removed from atmosphere via bacteria which converts it into ammonium NH4 which can be used by some plants
Some aquatic plants convert ammonium into NO3 which plants use and other is converted back into nitrogen gas via denitrification
Nitrogen in soil function and use
Plants and animal wastes decompose into soil adding nitrogen , decomposrs also bring nitrogen into soil denitrifying bacteria convert nitrogen compounds into gas again
What are phosphorus reservoirs
Rocks soil oceans
What is the only element or nutrient not found in atmosphere
Phosphorus
Use of phosphorus
In cell membrane phospholipids ATP energy DNA bones
What is phosphorus
Essential nutrient that is found in limited quantities within the environment
Is phosphorus found in the atmosphere
Noo
What is phosphorus commonly used for
As fertilizer
Weathering dose what
Release’s phosphorus trapped in rocks
Processes involved in phosphorus cycle
Geological uplift weathering and runoff
Short term phosphorus cycle
Plants and algae use it to form phosphate which is soluble in water so animals drink it and plants absorb it during photosynthesis
Then heterotrophs eat plants and animals and phosphate gets returned when they die and decompose
Long term phosphorus
Bones and shells from dead animals settle on ocean floor and are covered in sediment which form rocks containing phosphate
Weathering phosphorus cycle
Weathering causes rocks to smooth releasing trapped phosphorus making it available to organisms again
Geological uplift phosphorus
Over long periods of time phosphorus containing rocks may get moved from ocean floor to land very slow process takes 100000 yrs
Runoff phosphorus
Algal growth in aquatic environments is limited by available nutrients which can result in algal bloom overgrowth due to excess phosphorus which results in more organic matter less Oxygen and fish to die
Human impacts phosphorus
Global warming more severe storms more erosion and weathering more run off into oceans and fertilizers and detergents containing phosphorus causes eutrophication
