Essential idea: Soil cycles are subject to disruption. By Chris Paine Intensive agriculture relies heavily on the use of artificial fertilisers to maintain high crop yields. The manufacture and the application of fertilisers is a major disruption to nutrient cycles. One consequences of this is the unbalancing of natural ecosystems around agricultural areas. C.6 The nitrogen and phosphorus cycles (AHL)

Understandings, Applications and Skills StatementGuidance C.6.U1Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia. C.6.U2Rhizobium associates with roots in a mutualistic relationship. C.6.U3In the absence of oxygen denitrifying bacteria reduce nitrate in the soil. C.6.U4Phosphorus can be added to the phosphorus cycle by application of fertilizer or removed by the harvesting of agricultural crops. C.6.U5The rate of turnover in the phosphorus cycle is much lower than the nitrogen cycle. C.6.U6Availability of phosphate may become limiting to agriculture in the future. C.6.U7Leaching of mineral nutrients from agricultural land into rivers causes eutrophication and leads to increased biochemical oxygen demand. C.6.A1The impact of waterlogging on the nitrogen cycle. C.6.A2Insectivorous plants as an adaptation for low nitrogen availability in waterlogged soils. C.6.S1Drawing and labelling a diagram of the nitrogen cycle. C.6.S2Assess the nutrient content of a soil sample.

C.6.U1 Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia. Nitrogen gas Ammonia (NH 3 ) Nitrites (NO 2 - ) nitrates (NO 3 - ) Rhizobium & Azotobacter Nitrobacter* *Bacteria can be chemoautotrophs deriving energy (for carbon fixation) from the bonds in the compounds they convert. Nitrosomonas* The roles of bacteria in nitrogen fixation Plants cannot directly absorb and assimilate nitrogen. It must be first converted to compounds such as nitrates and ammonia. nitrogen fixation Nitrification is the process of converting ammonia into nitrates

C.6.U2 Rhizobium associates with roots in a mutualistic relationship. Azotobacter are free-living in the soil whereas bacteria of the genus Rhizobium are often not free-living but live in a close symbiotic association in the roots of plants such as the legume family. Mutualism describes relationships between organisms in which both organisms benefit. Legumes and the Rhizobium grow together to form nodules on the roots of the legume. The legume supplies carbohydrates to the bacteria. The bacteria use the carbohydrates for processes such as respiration. The bacteria supply ammonia (fixed from atmospheric nitrogen) to the legume. The legume requires ammonia for the synthesis of amino acids.

C.6.U3 In the absence of oxygen denitrifying bacteria reduce nitrate in the soil. Electron transport is a key process in cellular respiration Oxygen or nitrate can be used as an electron acceptor in electron transport. Though oxygen is preferred in oxygen poor conditions nitrate is used and the process releases nitrogen gas a product. Denitrification reduces the availability of nitrogen compounds to plants. Nitrate (NO 3 - )Nitrogen (N 2 ) A chemical reduction process carried out by bacteria e.g. Pseudomonas sp.

C.6.A1 The impact of waterlogging on the nitrogen cycle. n.b. excess water in the soil also leads to greater leaching of nutrients, which leads to nutrient enrichment of rivers and lakes and therefore to eutrophication. Soil can become inundated by water, waterlogged, through flooding or irrigation with poor drainage. Waterlogging reduces the oxygen availability in soils. This encourages the process of denitrification by bacteria, e.g. Pseudomonas sp.

C.6.A2 Insectivorous plants as an adaptation for low nitrogen availability in waterlogged soils. Dionaea muscipula - The Venus Flytrap Drosera sp. - the Sundews “Carnivorous plants have the most bizarre adaptations to low-nutrient environments. These plants obtain some nutrients by trapping and digesting various invertebrates, and occasionally even small frogs and mammals. Because insects are one of the most common prey items for most carnivorous plants, they are sometimes called insectivorous plants. It is not surprising that the most common habitat for these plants is in bogs and fens, where nutrient concentrations are low but water and sunshine seasonally abundant.” Find out more

C.6.A2 Insectivorous plants as an adaptation for low nitrogen availability in waterlogged soils. Modified leaves have evolved to trap insects. Enzymes are secreted to (extracellularly) digest the animal. The products of digestion are absorbed by the modified leaves. Insectivorous plants cannot be truly considered carnivorous as only nitrogen compounds are absorbed. The plant still obtains it’s energy from light via photosynthesis.

C.6.S1 Drawing and labelling a diagram of the nitrogen cycle. adapted from: On this diagram the pools (boxes) and fluxes (arrows) have been drawn on already. Add in the processes and state the bacteria related to the some of the processes. Rhizobium free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil Azotobacter Mutualistic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules Nitrification (x2) Nitrosomonas Nitrobacter Uptake (by active transport) and assimilation by plants Natural nitrogen fixation by lightning Application of fertilisers containing nitrogen (fixed by the Haber process) Transfer by the food chain Denitrification Pseudomonas Death & decomposition Ammonification Excretion

C.6.S1 Drawing and labelling a diagram of the nitrogen cycle. adapted from: free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil Azotobacter Mutualistic nitrogen- fixing bacteria in root nodules Nitrification Nitrobacter Uptake (by active transport) and assimilation by plants Natural nitrogen fixation by lightning Application of fertilisers containing nitrogen (fixed by the Haber process) Transfer by the food chain Denitrification Pseudomonas Death & decomposition Ammonification Excretion Nitrification Nitrosomonas Rhizobium

C.6.U5 The rate of turnover in the phosphorus cycle is much lower than the nitrogen cycle. The phosphorous cycle shows the various different forms in which phosphorous can naturally be found.

C.6.U5 The rate of turnover in the phosphorus cycle is much lower than the nitrogen cycle. Organisms have a variety of uses for phosphate ATP DNA and RNA cell membranes skeletons in vertebrates The rate of turnover (the speed of movement of phosphorous from one pool/sink to another) is relatively slow, compared with Nitrogen, as phosphate is only slowly released to ecosystems by weathering. Certain rocks, e.g. Phosphorite, contains high levels of phosphate minerals. Weathering of these rocks releases phosphates into the soil. Phosphates are a form of phosphorus that can is easily be absorbed by plants and hence enter food chains. The phosphorous cycle shows the various different forms in which phosphorous can naturally be found.

The fertilizer is then (transported great distances and) applied to crops * Phosphorus in the biomass of crops is transferred from fields in one area to markets in other areas * C.6.U4 Phosphorus can be added to the phosphorus cycle by application of fertilizer or removed by the harvesting of agricultural crops. *these processes remove phosphorus from the cycle in one location and adds it to another. _geograph.org.uk_-_ jpg Phosphate is mined and converted to phosphate-based fertilizer – this increase the rate of turnover. ast_002.JPG

C.6.U6 Availability of phosphate may become limiting to agriculture in the future. Consequently phosphate mining is being carried out at a much faster rate than the rocks can be naturally formed and hence replenished. The demand for artificial fertiliser in modern intensive farming is very high. Therefore phosphate minerals are classified as a non-renewable resource.

C.6.U6 Availability of phosphate may become limiting to agriculture in the future. The graph is based on US Geological Survey data and shows world phosphate production from mining. World production has varied greatly, but overall there have been smaller increases to production after than before As the reserves of phosphate rock are depleted the production of phosphorous is likely to peak and then decline. Though some sources the peak is likely to occur in in the next 30 years it is difficult to judge particularly due to the fact new phosphate mineral deposits are still being discovered. millions of Metric tons

C.6.U6 Availability of phosphate may become limiting to agriculture in the future. Yields per unit of farmland would plummet without the addition of fertilizer. There are no sources of phosphate fertiliser other than mining minerals. There is no synthetic way of creating phosphate fertilisers*, though this may change in the future. Impacts to agriculture of reduced phosphate production are potentially great. *Unlike ammonia which can be created by the industrial conversion of plentiful supplies of atmospheric nitrogen.

C.6.U7 Leaching of mineral nutrients from agricultural land into rivers causes eutrophication and leads to increased biochemical oxygen demand. Rainfall leaches water-soluble nutrients (e.g. phosphates, ammonia and nitrates) from soil and carries them into rivers and lakes. The nutrients can come either from artificial fertilisers, natural fertiliser such as manure or the urine of livestock. Poorly drained, waterlogged soils encourages leaching. An increase in nutrients in aquatic ecosystems leads to eutrophication.

C.6.U7 Leaching of mineral nutrients from agricultural land into rivers causes eutrophication and leads to increased biochemical oxygen demand. An increase in nutrients in aquatic ecosystems leads to eutrophication. Use the animations to learn about the process and the consequences: se%20files/multimedia/lesson78/animations/5a_Lake_Eutro phication.html

C.6.U7 Leaching of mineral nutrients from agricultural land into rivers causes eutrophication and leads to increased biochemical oxygen demand. In summary: Algal growth is normally limited by the availability of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates Rapid growth in the algal populations occurs, these increases are called ‘algal blooms’ as the population of algae increase so naturally does the numbers of dead algae the numbers of (saprotrophic) bacteria and microbes that feed on the dead algae also increase an increase in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) by the saprotrophic bacteria results in deoxygenation of the water supply (reduced dissolved O 2 ) An increase in nutrients in aquatic ecosystems leads to eutrophication.

C.6.U7 Leaching of mineral nutrients from agricultural land into rivers causes eutrophication and leads to increased biochemical oxygen demand. The consequences to organisms of low levels of dissolved oxygen: death or emigration of oxygen sensitive organisms (e.g. fish) proliferation of low dissolved O 2 tolerant organisms reduction of biodiversity decrease in water transparency, i.e. an increase in turbidity stresses photosynthetic organisms … … this in turn will affect the whole food chain increased levels of toxins and greater numbers of pathogens means affected water is no longer suitable for bathing or drinking An increase in nutrients in aquatic ecosystems leads to eutrophication.

C.6.S2 Assess the nutrient content of a soil sample. Guidance on proper use of tests and limitations of simple home test kits: mg/gardennotes/221.html#kits mg/gardennotes/221.html#kits Garden supply companies commonly sell soil quality assessment kits. The kits involve adding a chemical to a sample of soil that reacts with the nutrient in question, if present. A colour is produced that can be visually compared to a key. An example kit from Urban Farmer:

Bibliography / Acknowledgments Jason de Nys