Nitrogen and Phosphorous Cycle

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What is the nitrogen cycle?

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The nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen is converted between its various chemical forms, including nitrogen gas (N2), ammonia (NH3), nitrites (NO2-), nitrates (NO3-), and organic nitrogen compounds. This cycle is essential for maintaining ecosystem health and supporting plant growth.

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What role do soil bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle?

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Soil bacteria are crucial for the nitrogen cycle as they facilitate processes such as nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and denitrification, converting nitrogen gas into forms that plants can use and returning nitrogen to the atmosphere.

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What is denitrification?

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Denitrification is the process by which bacteria convert nitrates (NO3-) back into nitrogen gas (N2), releasing it into the atmosphere and completing the nitrogen cycle.

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What is eutrophication?

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Eutrophication is the process by which water bodies become overly enriched with nutrients (like nitrogen and phosphorus), leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen, which can harm aquatic life.

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What is assimilation in the phosphorus cycle?

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Assimilation is the process by which plants absorb phosphorus from the soil and incorporate it into their biological molecules, such as DNA and ATP, which are essential for growth and energy transfer.

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What is the significance of nitrification in the nitrogen cycle?

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Nitrification is the process by which ammonia (NH3) is converted into nitrites (NO2-) and then into nitrates (NO3-), making nitrogen available for plant uptake.

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What happens during ammonification?

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Ammonification is the process by which organic nitrogen from dead plants and animals is converted into ammonia (NH3) by decomposers, making it available for nitrification.

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What is the impact of fertilizer runoff on aquatic ecosystems?

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Fertilizer runoff can lead to nutrient pollution in water bodies, causing eutrophication, which results in algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and harm to aquatic organisms.

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What is the role of weathering in the phosphorus cycle?

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Weathering is the process that breaks down rocks and minerals, releasing phosphorus into the soil and making it available for plant uptake.

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How do human activities affect the nitrogen cycle?

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Human activities, such as the use of synthetic fertilizers and fossil fuel combustion, can disrupt the nitrogen cycle by increasing nitrogen inputs into ecosystems, leading to pollution and eutrophication.