The citric acid cycle, shown in —also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) or the Krebs cycle—is a series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy through the oxidation of acetate—derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins—into carbon dioxide.
Excess nitrogen can also leach or drain from the soil into underground water sources, or it can enter aquatic systems as above ground runoff. This excess nitrogen can build up, leading to a process called eutrophication.
