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The nitrogen cycle describes the biological and non-biological processes by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms in the environment. Important processes in the nitrogen cycle include fixation, mineralization, nitrification, and denitrification. While nitrogen makes up 78% of the atmosphere, atmospheric nitrogen has limited availability for biological use, leading to nitrogen scarcity in many ecosystems. Human activities like fossil fuel combustion and fertilizer use have dramatically altered the global nitrogen cycle.

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Kristine Anne Oquindo
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17 views1 page

Cris

The nitrogen cycle describes the biological and non-biological processes by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms in the environment. Important processes in the nitrogen cycle include fixation, mineralization, nitrification, and denitrification. While nitrogen makes up 78% of the atmosphere, atmospheric nitrogen has limited availability for biological use, leading to nitrogen scarcity in many ecosystems. Human activities like fossil fuel combustion and fertilizer use have dramatically altered the global nitrogen cycle.

Uploaded by

Kristine Anne Oquindo
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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1he n|trogen cyc|e ls Lhe process by whlch nlLrogen ls converLed beLween lLs varlous chemlcal forms

1hls LransformaLlon can be carrled ouL by boLh blologlcal and nonblologlcal processes lmporLanL
processes ln Lhe nlLrogen cycle lnclude flxaLlon mlnerallzaLlon nlLrlflcaLlon and denlLrlflcaLlon 1he
ma[orlLy of LarLhs aLmosphere (approxlmaLely 78) ls nlLrogen
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maklng lL Lhe largesL pool of nlLrogen
Powever aLmospherlc nlLrogen has llmlLed avallablllLy for blologlcal use leadlng Lo a scarclLy of usable
nlLrogen ln many Lypes of ecosysLems 1he nlLrogen cycle ls of parLlcular lnLeresL Lo ecologlsLs because
nlLrogen avallablllLy can affecL Lhe raLe of key ecosysLem processes lncludlng prlmary producLlon and
decomposlLlon Puman acLlvlLles such as fossll fuel combusLlon use of arLlflclal nlLrogen ferLlllzers and
release of nlLrogen ln wasLewaLer have dramaLlcally alLered Lhe global nlLrogen cycle
A 2011 study has cast doubt on the traditional model oI the nitrogen cycle described below;
nitrogen Irom rocks may also be a signiIicant source not previously included.

phosphorus cycle is the biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement oI phosphorus
through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere. Unlike many other biogeochemical cycles,
the atmosphere does not play a signiIicant role in the movement oI phosphorus, because
phosphorus and phosphorus-based compounds are usually solids at the typical ranges oI
temperature and pressure Iound on Earth. The production oI phosphine gas occurs only in
specialized, local conditions.
Low phosphorus (chemical symbol, P) availability slows down microbial growth, which has
been shown in studies oI soil microbial biomass. Soil microorganisms act as sinks and sources oI
available P in the biogeochemical cycle.
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Locally, transIormations oI PO
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are microbially
driven; however, the major transIers in the global cycle oI P are not driven by microbial
reactions, but by tectonic movements in geologic time.
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Further studies need to be perIormed
Ior integrating diIIerent processes and Iactors related to gross phosphorus mineralization and
microbial phosphorus turnover in general.
The sulfur cycle are the collection oI processes by which sulIur moves to and Irom minerals
(including the waterways) and living systems. Such biogeochemical cycles are important in
geology because they aIIect many minerals. Biogeochemical cycles are also important Ior liIe
because sulIur is an essential element, being a constituent oI many proteins and coIactors.
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