Nitrogen Cycle
Hailey & Noah
What is the Nitrogen Cycle?
It is the cycle by which nitrogen gets moved around in the ecosystem. Nitrogen is one of the primary nutrients needed for the survival of all living organisms. It's necessary component of many biomolecules, including proteins, DNA, and chlorophyll. Nitrogen is a versatile element, existing in both inorganic and organic forms. The movement of nitrogen between the atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere in different forms is what we call the Nitrogen Cycle. All of the movements such as, precipitation, fossil fuel combustion, natural fixation, and other ways, are all included in this cycle.
Impact From Fertilizers On The Nitrogen Cycle
Recent changes in the Nitrogen a Cycle are causing a very noticeable effect on human health. Lakes are being clogged by aquatic weeds. Areas in the ocean, called dead zones, are forming, which animals are unable to survive in. Air pollutants, which contain nitrogen, are decreasing air quality. Also green house gases that contain nitrogen are becoming more common.
For many years, people have been using fertilizer to help grow crops for the growing population. However, fertilizers are being overused, and that can lead to problems. Nitrogen from fertilizers sinks into the soil often creating conditions that favor the growth of weeds rather than plants. Nitrogen then washes into waterways, causing a surplus of nutrients, a situation called eutrophication. In freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams. Algae cloud the water green and slimy algal scum coats shallow rocks.
Measures Taken To Minimize Impact
In some states laws have been placed to control how much fertilizer is used and in what areas. In public areas fertilizer is tightly managed to keep from putting to much fertilizer in the environment. Some states are working on research to learn how to engineer Nitrogen in a way that it won't have had big of an impact. They believe by making pure Nitrogen molecules, instead of Nitrogen Oxide (which is made in the fertilizers), they can reduce the amount of GreenHouse gasses in our atmosphere. Which, will also help stabilize how much Nitrogen Oxide that is in the air, fixing the Nitrogen cycle.