Nitrogen Cycle

Describe and write equations for the

formation of oxides of nitrogen by the reaction
of nitrogen and oxygen at high temperatures.

Describe how the nitrogen cycle operates

by natural processes lightning, nitrogen-
fixing bacteria, decay, combustion engines.
Occurs as diatomic molecules
Makes up about 78% of the atmosphere.
One of the least reactive substances known.
This low reactivity is related to strong tripple
covalent bond between the two nitrogen
atoms.

NN
Plants absorb nitrogen in a form known as
FIXED NITROGEN, but not as unreactive N2.

Examples : Nitrate NO3-

How to convert N2 gas from atmosphere to

FIXED NITROGEN ?
Nitrogen fixing bacteria
- These bacteria are found free living and
theyre in nodules in the roots of legumes
- ( peas, beans and peanuts)
Nitrogen from the atmosphere is fixed by
nitrogen fixing bacteria.
Nitrogen gas Ammonia/ Ammonium ion
( NH3 / NH4+)
Then, Nitrification process occurs.
NH3 + H2O NH4+ + OH-
NH4+ Nitrite (NO2-) by Nitrosomonas
NO2- Nitrate (NO3-) by Nitrobacter
 Oxides of nitrogen come from :

1. Lightning discharges/ flashes

2. Volcanoes
3. Meteor trails
4. Forest fire
5. Industrial furnaces
6. Internal combustion engines

N N
Due to high temperature, triple bond
in nitrogen gas molecules can be
broken down and then oxidize to form
nitrogen oxides.
N2 (g) + O2(g) 2NO (g)
nitric oxide
2NO (g) + O2(g) 2NO2 (g)
nitrogen dioxide
The oxides are largely rained out of
the atmosphere as acid rain.

2NO2 (g) + H2O(l)

HNO3(aq) +
HNO2(aq)

3NO2(g) + H2O(l) 2HNO3(aq) + NO (g)

Acid rain ionise in soil solution,
HNO3 (aq) H+ (aq) + NO3-(aq)

NO3- is readily absorbed by plant

through plant roots system.
Plants produce amino acids and plant
proteins.
There are two ways to complete the nitrogen
cycle.
Mineralisation :
When a plant or animal dies, bacteria convert
the protein into amino acids and then to NH 3,
NH4+ and NO3- which may be absorbed by
plants again.
Denitrification :

Some denitrifying bacteria use the NH3,

NH4+ and NO3- for energy in the absence of
oxygen.
They then release nitrogen gas into
atmosphere.

Nitrogen in the soil is lost

a) When crops are harvested.
b) By leaching when excess water is added
to soil.
The balance of nitrogen cycle is interrupted by
:
A large quantity of nitrogen is fixed in the
form of synthetically prepared fertilizers
through Haber process.
N2(g) + H2(g) 2NH 3 (g)
Adding nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere via
industrial processes and vehicle emission.
By planting of huge crop of legumes.
Nitrogen may be converted into compounds
by biological processes ( fixation or by
reaction with oxygen during lightning
discharges and at high temperatures such as
combustion occurs in engines and furnaces)
Nitrogen compounds are important in the
chemistry of life processes. These include
amino acids, protein, nitrate and ammonium
compounds.
a) The nitrogen cycle represents one of
the most important nutrient cycles
found in ecosystems. Nitrogen is an
essential plant nutrient.
State one type of nitrogen-containing
molecule that is manufactured by
plants.

b) Describe the process by which

lightning makes atmospheric nitrogen
available to plants.

c)The presence or absence of oxygen

affects the products of the
decomposition of organic compounds
derived from living organisms.

State the product of anaerobic

decomposition of nitrogen containing
compounds.
 To make amino acid or protein or nucleic acid.
(any one)
Heat from lightning activates atmospheric
nitrogen gas to react with molecular oxygen to
form nitric oxide (NO).
Nitric oxide is reactive and further oxidize to
nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
NO2 dissolves in water to form nitrous and nitric
acid. Nitric acid can ionize fully in water to
produce hydrogen ion and nitrate ion where
nitrate ion is now available to plant.
Ammonia or NH3