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The Nitrogen System

The Nitrogen System. Nature, location, purpose and importance of the cycle. Nitrogen is a necessary component in all living things and many biomolecules, including proteins, DNA, and chlorophyll.

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The Nitrogen System

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  1. The Nitrogen System

  2. Nature, location, purpose and importance of the cycle. • Nitrogen is a necessary component in all living things and many biomolecules, including proteins, DNA, and chlorophyll. • However, most organisms are unable to access nitrogen in its most abundant form (N2 gas), so it must go through the nitrogen cycle to become accessible to plants and animals. • The nitrogen cycle takes place in each sphere where there are living things – the biosphere.

  3. Things That Need Nitrogen • Nitrogen is a necessary component in all living things and many biomolecules, including proteins, DNA, and chlorophyll. • However, most organisms are unable to access nitrogen in its most abundant form (N2 gas), so it must go through the nitrogen cycle to become accessible to plants and animals. • The nitrogen cycle takes place in each sphere where there are living things – the biosphere.

  4. Nitrogen Cycle diagram The nitrogen cycle describes how nitrogen moves between plants, animals, bacteria, the atmosphere (the air), and soil in the ground. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DP24BceOwt8

  5. Cycle in action • Salt Water fish tank – takes weeks to set up • Must have sufficient numbers of nitrite and nitrate bacteria present • Nitrites and nitrates detoxify the ammonia produced by the fish • If nitrites and nitrates don’t build up, the fish will die

  6. Human Impacts on the Nitrogen Cycle Humans doubled nitrogen production Adding nitrogen fertilizer to crop + livestock ranching Ammonia (waste) and nitrogen (fertilizer) to soil • Increase in denitrification • Leaching to ground water → bodies of surface water • Leads to eutrophication

  7. Fossil Fuel burning + Forest fires Increase in nitrogen in atmosphere Creates smog and acid rain Runoff and Leaching Concerns for water quality May lead to 'blue-baby' syndrome

  8. Effect on the economy. • Drinking Water Costs • Nitrate-removal systems caused water treatment supply costs to rise from 5-10 cents per 1000 gallons to over $4 per 1000 gallons. • Tourism Losses • The tourism industry loses close to $1 billion each year, mostly through losses in fishing and boating activities. From the bodies of water that are affected by nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms.

  9. Real Estate Losses • Clean water rises the value of the home by up to 25%. Waterfront property values can lessen because of the odor and sight of algal blooms caused by nutrient pollution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCicSNnKUvM#t=114

  10. Engineers More effective ways to ensure higher percent chance that fertilizer gets to plant and not lost by runoff and leaching Find leaks and design systems to stop it December 1991 Nitrates Directive → protect water against pollution from agricultural nitrates Saving the nitrogen cycle

  11. Recommended steps 1. Consume less → 1/3 of food is not eaten 2. Improve waste water treatment → leaching 3. Decrease use of electricity from fossil fuels, increase use of public transport / carpooling

  12. Works Cited • Bernhard , Anne. "The Nitrogen Cycle: Processes, Players, and Human Impact | Learn Science at Scitable." Nature Publishing Group : science journals, jobs, and information. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. • "Water, Carbon and Nitrogen Cycle." eTap - Teaching Assistance Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. • Extension, University of Missouri. "WQ252 Nitrogen in the Environment: Nitrogen Cycle | University of Missouri Extension." University of Missouri Extension Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013.

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