How does nitrogen eventually return to the atmosphere?

1 Answer
Sep 20, 2015

The Nitrogen cycle.

Explanation:

Nitrogen fixation: Nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules of legumes fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia. This is the natural equivalent of the Haber process.

Nitrification: Nitrites and Nitrate are produced from ammonium by Nitrifying bacteria. Nitrates are required by plants for the production of proteins.

Ammonification: The production of ammonia by microorganisms from dead plant and animals.

These process cycle Nitrogen from the air throughout the ground. Nitrogen is returned to the amosphere by:

Denitrification: Produces Nitrogen gas. The complete opposite of nitrification, ie Nitrates to Nitrites to Ammonia to Nitrogen gas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle#/media/File:Nitrogen_Cyclesvg