1. The Nitrogen Cycle By: Reynaldo Thomas

2.  Nitrogen is an essential element needed for protein formation.  The air around us contain approximately 79% of nitrogen (format of gas).  Most living things can not use nitrogen in this format.  Nitrogen gas is Inert.

3.  Humans taking nitrogen in the format of proteins from plants or other animal. Return of nitrogen to Soil Urea  When animal break down proteins, urea is produce as a waste product.  Urea is excreted as urine.  Bacteria convert urea into nitrate.

4. Nitrogen Gas  Nitrogen fixing bacteria in the roots of some plants converts nitrogen gas into ammonium compound.  Nitrifying bacteria then convert ammonium into nitrite and then nitrate.

5. Plants/Animal Matter  When plants and animals die they are decomposed by bacteria, forming ammonium compounds.  Nitrifying bacteria then convert ammonium to nitrites and then into nitrates.

6. Lighting oxides of Nitrogen  During thunder storms lighting convert nitrogen gas into nitrates.  The rain will then wash the nitrogen compounds into the soil.

7. Artificial Fertilizer  The addition of man made fertilizer will add nitrates to the soil.  Hence increasing the soil fertility.

8. Denitrifying Bacteria  This type of bacteria undo the work done by others by converting nitrates back to nitrogen gas.