1. The Nitrogen System

2. Nature, location, purpose and importance of the cycle.  Nitrogen is a necessary component in all living things and many biomolecules, including proteins, DNA, and chlorophyll.  However, most organisms are unable to access nitrogen in its most abundant form (N2 gas), so it must go through the nitrogen cycle to become accessible to plants and animals.  The nitrogen cycle takes place in each sphere where there are living things – the biosphere.

3. Things That Need Nitrogen  Nitrogen is a necessary component in all living things and many biomolecules, including proteins, DNA, and chlorophyll.  However, most organisms are unable to access nitrogen in its most abundant form (N2 gas), so it must go through the nitrogen cycle to become accessible to plants and animals.  The nitrogen cycle takes place in each sphere where there are living things – the biosphere.

4. Nitrogen Cycle diagram The nitrogen cycle describes how nitrogen moves between plants, animals, bacteria, the atmosphere (the air), and soil in the ground. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DP24BceOwt8

5. Cycle in action  Salt Water fish tank – takes weeks to set up  Must have sufficient numbers of nitrite and nitrate bacteria present  Nitrites and nitrates detoxify the ammonia produced by the fish  If nitrites and nitrates don’t build up, the fish will die

6. Human Impacts on the Nitrogen Cycle  Humans doubled nitrogen production  Adding nitrogen fertilizer to crop + livestock ranching  Ammonia (waste) and nitrogen (fertilizer) to soil ● Increase in denitrification ● Leaching to ground water → bodies of surface water – Leads to eutrophication

7. Fossil Fuel burning + Forest fires  Increase in nitrogen in atmosphere  Creates smog and acid rain Runoff and Leaching  Concerns for water quality  May lead to 'blue- baby' syndrome

8. Effect on the economy. Drinking Water Costs Nitrate-removal systems caused water treatment supply costs to rise from 5-10 cents per 1000 gallons to over $4 per 1000 gallons. Tourism Losses The tourism industry loses close to $1 billion each year, mostly through losses in fishing and boating activities. From the bodies of water that are affected by nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms.

9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCicSNnKUvM#t=114 Real Estate Losses Clean water rises the value of the home by up to 25%. Waterfront property values can lessen because of the odor and sight of algal blooms caused by nutrient pollution

10. Engineers  More effective ways to ensure higher percent chance that fertilizer gets to plant and not lost by runoff and leaching  Find leaks and design systems to stop it December 1991  Nitrates Directive → protect water against pollution from agricultural nitrates Saving the nitrogen cycle

11. Recommended steps 1. Consume less → 1/3 of food is not eaten 2. Improve waste water treatment → leaching 3. Decrease use of electricity from fossil fuels, increase use of public transport / carpooling

12. Works Cited  Bernhard, Anne. "The Nitrogen Cycle: Processes, Players, and Human Impact | Learn Science at Scitable." Nature Publishing Group : science journals, jobs, and information. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013.  "Water, Carbon and Nitrogen Cycle." eTap - Teaching Assistance Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013.  Extension, University of Missouri. "WQ252 Nitrogen in the Environment: Nitrogen Cycle | University of Missouri Extension." University of Missouri Extension Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013.