1. Why is NITROGEN Important?? Proteins and Amino Acids
Nitrogen is a KEY component in:
Chlorophyll
(Photosynthesis)
DNA (Nucleic Acids)
Proteins and Amino Acids

2. N2 The atmosphere is made up of 78% Nitrogen gas (N2)
N2 is not useable by living things N2

3. Nitrogen Containing Molecules
NITRITE (NO2-)
Plants CAN’T use it
AMMONIA (NH3)
Some Plants CAN
use it
Nitrogen Containing Molecules
NITROUS OXIDES (NO)
Pollutants/Byproducts of burning fossil fuels
NITROGEN GAS (N2)
Plants CAN’T use it
NITRATE (NO3-)
Plants CAN use it

4. Processes that convert Nitrogen
AMMONIFICATION
Nitrogen in Dead organisms & Waste converted to Ammonium
-Bacteria, Decomposer, Fungi
NITROGEN
FIXATION
Nitrogen gas (N2) is converted to AMMONIA
-BACTERIA
-LIGHTNING
NITRIFICATION
Ammonia converted into Nitrites, then Nitrates
-Bacteria
Processes that convert Nitrogen
DENITRIFICATION
Nitrates converted into N2
-Bacteria
BURNING FOSSIL FUELS
Creates Nitrous Oxides
-Humans
Fertilizer production
N2 converted into Ammonia
-Humans

5. Natural Fixation Human Fixation
N2 must be converted to form useable compounds. (Plants can only use Nitrogen when it’s combined with other elements)
Natural Fixation
Human Fixation
LIGHTNING BACTERIA
FERTILIZER MANUFACTURING FOSSIL FUEL COMBUSTION

7. NITROGEN FIXATION
BACTERIA in soil and water FIX nitrogen gas from the atmosphere Nitrogen (N2) Ammonia (NH3)

8. BACTERIA ON THE ROOTS OF SOME PLANTS “FIX” NITROGEN GAS (N2).
ALFALFA
BACTERIA ON THE ROOTS OF SOME PLANTS “FIX” NITROGEN GAS (N2).
CLOVER
PEAS
LEGUMES.

9. Nitrogen gas -------------Ammonia N2 -------------NO2 and NO3
Nitrogen can be “FIXED” when we make FERTILIZERS
N NH3
Nitrogen gas Ammonia
Nitrogen can be “FIXED” by LIGHTNING
(Energy splits N2, it reacts with O2 .
Nitrates dissolve in Water
absorbed by plant roots.)
N NO2 and NO3
Nitrogen gas Nitrite and Nitrate

10. Process that converts AMMONIA into NITRITES and NITRATES
Done by BACTERIA
NH3
Ammonia

11. NITRATE IS ABSORBED BY PLANTS’ ROOTS…

12. DENITRIFICATION-Returns Nitrogen to the atmosphere
NITRATE NITROGEN GAS
(NO N2)
This is the opposite of Nitrification

13. Ammonification Nitrogen in DEAD ORGANISMS and WASTE into are converted into AMMONIA

14. DENITRIFICATION
FIXATION
NITRIFICATION
AMMONIFICATION

15. Nitrogen Cycle Video

17. EUTROPHICATION