Nitrogen cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is a repeating circulation of the element nitrogen in various chemical forms throughout living and non-living things on Earth. By changing forms nitrogen is able to is able to move from the atmosphere, as a gas, to a form that is usable by plant life. The nitrogen cycle can be divided into several processes including: nitrogen fixation, assimilation, ammonification, nitrification, and denitrification. Other processes have been considered in this cycle as scientific research continues.[1]

The nitrogen cycle allows for the continued maintenance of healthy productive ecosystems. The alteration of nitrogen levels can greatly affect plant production and biomass in our environment. The nitrogen cycle allows us to understand how to better grow crops in agriculture to maintain a food supply for the human population but also limit fertilizer pollution in soils that can lead to eutrophication.