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Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Microbes and the Carbon Cycle01:24

Microbes and the Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is a fundamental Earth process involving the transfer of carbon among the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. It plays a critical role in regulating the planet’s climate and supporting life by cycling carbon through various chemical forms and reservoirs. Carbon primarily circulates as carbon dioxide (CO₂), representing its oxidized form, while reduced forms such as methane (CH₄) and organic compounds also play essential roles.Microbial activity is central to...
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...
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?00:54

What are Biogeochemical Cycles?

The most common elements in organic molecules, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus, are only available in the ecosystem in limited amounts. Therefore, these nutrients must be recycled through both biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem, in processes generally called biogeochemical cycles.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Producing, Characterizing and Quantifying Biochar in the Woods Using Portable Flame Cap Kilns
07:27

Producing, Characterizing and Quantifying Biochar in the Woods Using Portable Flame Cap Kilns

Published on: January 5, 2024

Biochar and the nitrogen cycle: introduction.

Tim J Clough1, Leo M Condron

  • 1Dep. of Soil & Physical Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture & Life Sciences, P.O. Box 84, Lincoln Univ., Lincoln 7647, New Zealand. clought@lincoln.ac.nz

Journal of Environmental Quality
|September 14, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Biochar influences soil nitrogen cycling by altering microbial communities and N transformations. Further research is needed to understand biochar

Area of Science:

  • Soil Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Nitrogen (N) is essential for soil fertility.
  • Biochar can influence soil N cycling processes, including nitrification and ammonia adsorption.
  • Understanding biochar's impact on N transformations is crucial for sustainable agriculture.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate biochar's effects on soil nitrogen cycling.
  • To explore microbial nitrification in biochar-amended soils.
  • To assess the influence of biochar contact time and soil type on N transformations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of microbial nitrification communities and function.
  • Evaluation of N transformations over time in biochar-treated soils of different types.

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Design and Operation of a Continuous 13C and 15N Labeling Chamber for Uniform or Differential, Metabolic and Structural, Plant Isotope Labeling
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Design and Operation of a Continuous 13C and 15N Labeling Chamber for Uniform or Differential, Metabolic and Structural, Plant Isotope Labeling

Published on: January 16, 2014

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)
08:12

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)

Published on: May 16, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Producing, Characterizing and Quantifying Biochar in the Woods Using Portable Flame Cap Kilns
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Producing, Characterizing and Quantifying Biochar in the Woods Using Portable Flame Cap Kilns

Published on: January 5, 2024

Design and Operation of a Continuous 13C and 15N Labeling Chamber for Uniform or Differential, Metabolic and Structural, Plant Isotope Labeling
10:16

Design and Operation of a Continuous 13C and 15N Labeling Chamber for Uniform or Differential, Metabolic and Structural, Plant Isotope Labeling

Published on: January 16, 2014

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)
08:12

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids (BPCA)

Published on: May 16, 2016

  • Assessment of N losses during composting with biochar.

    • Main Results:

    • Biochar exposure alters microbial nitrification communities and function.
    • The duration of soil-biochar contact and soil type affect N transformations.
    • Composting organic materials with biochar reduces N losses and improves compost quality.

    Conclusions:

    • Biochar significantly influences soil N cycling through microbial and chemical mechanisms.
    • Knowledge gaps remain regarding the precise mechanisms of biochar's effect on N transformations and supply.
    • Future research should focus on field and microbial scales to elucidate biochar's role in soil N dynamics.