nitrogen cycle Flashcards
(10 cards)
what is the order of the nitrogen cycle
fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification
what is fixation
nitrogen gas (N2) from the air changes to ammonium (Nh4)
what is nitrification
ammonium gets changed into nitrites (NO2) by bacteria to be absorbed by plants then changed to nitrates (NO3)
what is assimilation
plants absorb the nitrates by the roots
what is ammonification
decomposers change nitrogen into ammonium to renter the cycle
what is denitrification
nitrogen in the soil returns to the air
why is it important to convert ammonium into ammonia and nitrates
ammonium is toxic to plants so they cant absorb it
what is the chemical order of the nitrogen cycle
N2, NH4, NO2, NO3
what can disrupt the nitrogen cycle
human activity like burning fossil fuels, clearing forests and excessive use of fertiliser
what is eutrophication
when excess nitrogen in water leads to algae blooms
