EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -In the atmosphere, nitrogen exists as a gas (N2), but in the soils it exists as nitrogen oxide, NO, and nitrogen dioxide, NO2, and when used as a fertilizer, can be found in other forms, such as ammonia, NH3, which can be processed even further into a different fertilizer, ammonium nitrate, or NH4NO3.

Detailed explanation-2: -The major transformations of nitrogen are nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, anammox, and ammonification (Figure 1).

Detailed explanation-3: -It is part in nitrogen cycle wherein atmospheric nitrogen fixation carries out non-living components to gather relatively inert gas forming reactive nitrogen compounds when chemically combined with other elements. Lightning is the main natural source of abiotic factor that contributes the atmospheric nitrogen fixation.

Detailed explanation-4: -The largest reservoir of nitrogen is found in the atmosphere, mostly as nitrogen gas (N2). Nitrogen gas makes up 78% of the air we breathe. Most nitrogen enters ecosystems via certain kinds of bacteria in soil and plant roots that convert nitrogen gas into ammonia (NH3).

Detailed explanation-5: -Ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3–) are the predominate inorganic forms of nitrogen in soils. Ammonium exists in exchangeable and nonexchangeable forms. Nitrite (NO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are present in soil in lesser quantities. Plants normally use nitrogen in only the ammonium and nitrate forms.