Question

What are the main processes of the nitrogen cycle and what do they each do/accomplish

Answer 1

The main processes of the nitrogen cycle are nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, anammox, and ammonification.

Explanation:

The sequence in which nitrogen passes from the atmosphere to the soil and organisms, and then is eventually released back into the atmosphere, is called nitrogen cycle.

Nitrogen cycle involves the following processes:

•Nitrogen Fixation

It is a process by which atmospheric nitrogen is converted into the form which can be easily absorbed the organisms on earth.

Nitrogen Fixation is carried out by the following ways:

1.By lightning: When lightning occurs, the high temperature and pressure convert nitrogen and water into nitrates and nitrites which get dissolved in water and are readily used by aquatic plants and animals.

2.By bacteria- Molecular nitrogen is converted into nitrates and nitrites by free living bacteria or the bacteria like Rhizobium present in the root nodules of legumes. Some bacteria convert the nitrogen gas (N2) to ammonia (NH3) which plants can use.

• Nitrification: It is the process by which ammonia is converted into nitrites and nitrates.

•Ammonification: It is the process by which soil bacteria decompose dead organic matter and release ammonia into soil.

•Denitrification: It is the process by which nitrates are converted into atmospheric nitrogen back to complete the cycle.

Answer 2

In general, the nitrogen cycle has five steps:
Nitrification (NH3 to NO3-) Assimilation (Incorporation of NH3 and NO3- into biological tissues) Ammonification (organic nitrogen compounds to NH3) Denitrification(NO3- to N2)2.