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Biogeochemical Cycles > The Nitrogen Cycle > Flashcards

The Nitrogen Cycle Flashcards

1
Q

What are the four reservoirs of nitrogen

A
  • Atmosphere
  • Biosphere
  • Lithosphere
  • Hydrosphere
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2
Q

What form of nitrogen is in the atmosphere

A

In the form of N2 and some NOXs

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3
Q

What form of nitrogen is in the biosphere

A

In the form of amino acids, proteins and DNA

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4
Q

What form of nitrogen is in the lithosphere

A

Soil - ammonia, nitrates & nitrites
Some rocks contain nitrogen

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5
Q

What form of nitrogen is in the hydrosphere

A

Some nitrites, nitrates and ammonia ions dissolved

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6
Q

What is the process of ionisation

A

Processes such as lightning provide the energy for atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen to react and produce oxides of nitrogen

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7
Q

What is the process of nitrogen fixation

A

Nitrogen fixation bacteria chemically reduce nitrogen to ammonia

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8
Q

What is a characteristic of nitrogen fixating bacteria

A

They live in the soil or live symbiotically on the roots of legumes
E.g - peas, beans

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9
Q

What is the process of nitrification

A

Involves the oxidation of ammonium ions to nitrites then to nitrites by nitrifying bacteria

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10
Q

What is the process of food chain transfer

A
  • Plants absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrates and nitrites
  • Passed between organisms as animals eat the plants
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11
Q

What is the process of denitrification

A

Chemical reduction of nitrates and nitrites in soil to nitrogen oxide gases by denitrifying bacteria in the soil

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12
Q

What is the process of leaching

A

High solubility of nitrates means they are easily leached out of soils into water bodies where they act as nutrients for aquatic plants

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13
Q

What is the process of absorption by roots

A

Plants absorb ammonia, nitrates and nitrites

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14
Q

What is the process of ammonification

A

Micro-organisms such as bacteria & other types of decomposing micro-organisms break down nitrogen-containing chemicals from DOM into ammonia

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15
Q

What does DOM stand for

A

Dead organic matter

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16
Q

What condition does nitrification take place in

A

Aerobic

17
Q

What condition does nitrogen fixation take place in

A

Aerobic

18
Q

What condition does denitrification take place in

A

Anaerobic

19
Q

What are the three human activities that have an impact on the nitrogen cycle

A
  • Haber process
  • Agricultural processes
  • Pollution
20
Q

What are the four types of agricultural processes that impact the nitrogen cycle

A
  • Use of fertilisers
  • Drainage systems
  • Soil disturbance
21
Q

How does the Haber process impact the nitrogen cycle

A

The process in which a water body becomes overly enriched with nutrients, leading to the plentiful growth of algae

22
Q

How does the use of fertilisers impact the nitrogen cycle

A

Nitrate fertilisers increase problems caused by leaching including eutrophication if applied followed after rain or if applied nearby to a river

23
Q

How does the use of drainage systems impact the nitrogen cycle

A

Drained waterlogged fields make soil more aerobic encouraging more nitrogen fixation & nitrification.
Waterlogged/ flooded fields make soil more anaerobic encouraging nitrification.

24
Q

How does soil disturbance impact the nitrogen cycle

A

Increases rate of decomposition which increases ammonification

25
Q

How does pollution impact the nitrogen cycle

A

NOXs are released into the atmosphere by combustion processes
Could increase the quantity of nitrates washed into the soil by precipitation

26
Q

What is eutrophication

A

the process by which a body of water becomes enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants

27
Q

What is the process of eutrophication

A
  • Agricultural runoff of fertilisers containing nitrogen cause excess nutrients to enter a body of water
  • Nutrients in water promote growth of algae
  • Algae bloom occurs preventing photosynthesis
  • Plants underneath die and decompose
  • Becomes a dead zone
  • Decomposition of aquatic species produces more nutrients increasing algae bloom
28
Q

What are 5 examples of how the nitrogen cycle can be sustainably managed.

A
  • Crop rotation, increase planting of lagoons
  • Educate on application of fertilisers and weather conditions
  • Use more natural fertilisers
  • Intercept flow of water, collect & treat the water & reuse it
  • Reduce use of combustion engines, use catalytic converters or increase use of electric cars

Biogeochemical Cycles (3 decks)

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