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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

Nitrogen is a very important element for life because it is a major constituent of proteins and nucleic acids. It is a macronutrient, and in nature, it is recycled from organic compounds and stored in the form of  ammonia, ammonium ions, nitrate, nitrite, or  nitrogen gas by many metabolic processes. Many of these metabolic processes are carried out only by prokaryotes.
The largest pool of nitrogen available in the terrestrial ecosystem is gaseous nitrogen (N2) from the air, but this nitrogen...
The Nitrogen Cycle01:49

The Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
Microbes and the Nitrogen Cycle01:26

Microbes and the Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is a complex biogeochemical process critical to maintaining the balance of nitrogenous compounds in ecosystems. This cycle involves multiple microbial-mediated transformations through which nitrogen changes oxidation states, supporting essential ecological functions and contributing to plant and microbial growth.Nitrogen Fixation and AmmonificationNitrogen fixation initiates the cycle by converting inert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into bioavailable ammonia (NH₃), a process...
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs01:15

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation. However, because inorganic electron donors...
Microbial Wastewater Treatment01:30

Microbial Wastewater Treatment

Microbial communities in aquatic ecosystems play a key role in the natural breakdown of contaminants introduced through domestic and industrial effluents. Acting as biological catalysts, these microbes change and mineralize a wide range of organic and inorganic pollutants under different redox conditions.In oxygen-rich surface waters, aerobic heterotrophs lead organic matter breakdown, using oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor to efficiently oxidize substrates to carbon dioxide and water.
Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

Nitrogen is an essential element in biological systems, forming a crucial component of proteins, nucleic acids, and other cellular constituents. Many bacteria and archaea acquire nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) or ammonia (NH₃), which are then assimilated into biomolecules through specific enzymatic pathways.Assimilatory Nitrate ReductionWhen nitrate enters the cell, it undergoes a two-step reduction process known as assimilatory nitrate reduction. Initially, the enzyme nitrate reductase...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
08:05

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

Published on: October 7, 2020

Nitrate losses from disturbed ecosystems.

P M Vitousek, J R Gosz, C C Grier

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |May 4, 1979
    PubMed
    Summary

    Nitrogen cycling processes can delay nitrate loss from disturbed forests. However, nitrogen uptake by vegetation is key, as other processes are insufficient on fertile sites, leading to high potential nitrate losses.

    Area of Science:

    • Forest Ecology
    • Biogeochemical Cycles
    • Environmental Science

    Background:

    • Disturbed forest ecosystems experience altered nitrogen cycling.
    • Nitrate (NO3-) loss is a significant environmental concern following forest disturbance.
    • Understanding nitrogen retention mechanisms is crucial for forest management.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To systematically examine processes that delay or prevent nitrate loss in disturbed forests.
    • To identify the most important nitrogen cycling processes in mitigating nitrate runoff.
    • To assess the potential for nitrate loss from different forest sites.

    Main Methods:

    • Conducted a systematic examination of nitrogen cycling in disturbed forest ecosystems.
    • Performed an experimental and comparative study of nitrate losses.

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    Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems
    09:38

    Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems

    Published on: October 29, 2016

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

    Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O
    08:05

    Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

    Published on: October 7, 2020

    Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors
    07:59

    Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors

    Published on: December 6, 2018

    Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems
    09:38

    Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems

    Published on: October 29, 2016

  • Utilized trenched plots across 19 forest sites in the United States.

    • Main Results:

    • Identified eight nitrogen cycling processes that can delay nitrate loss.
    • Found that nitrogen uptake by regrowing vegetation, immobilization, nitrification lags, and water availability are key.
    • Determined that these processes, excluding vegetation uptake, are insufficient to prevent losses from fertile sites.

    Conclusions:

    • Nitrogen uptake by regrowing vegetation is critical for preventing nitrate loss.
    • Fertile disturbed forest sites have a high potential for significant nitrate loss.
    • Effective forest management strategies must consider nitrogen retention processes.