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Related Concept Videos

The Nitrogen Cycle01:49

The Nitrogen Cycle

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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...
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Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

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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...
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Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

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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...
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The Carbon Cycle01:14

The Carbon Cycle

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Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among living organisms, and one in which carbon is cycled over long periods of time through fossilized organic remains, weathering of rocks, and volcanic activity. Human activities, including increased agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels, has greatly affected the balance of the natural carbon cycle.
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Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs01:15

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

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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.
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What are Biogeochemical Cycles?00:54

What are Biogeochemical Cycles?

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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: Dec 31, 2025

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

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Nitrogen storage in China's terrestrial ecosystems.

Li Xu1, Nianpeng He2, Guirui Yu2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.

The Science of the Total Environment
|January 8, 2020
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Summary

This study quantifies China

Keywords:
ChinaNitrogen cycleNitrogen storageSoilVegetation

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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
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Area of Science:

  • Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • Ecology
  • Biogeochemistry

Background:

  • Nitrogen (N) is vital for plant growth and ecosystem productivity.
  • Accurate estimation of N storage in terrestrial ecosystems is critical but spatially unclear.
  • Limited data on plant organ N content hinders understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically estimate nitrogen storage in China for the first time.
  • To identify the primary factors influencing spatial patterns of nitrogen storage.
  • To compile nitrogen density datasets for regional modeling and management.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized 44,337 field-measured data points across China.
  • Analyzed nitrogen storage in vegetation, soil, and various ecosystem types.
  • Employed redundancy analysis to determine influencing factors.

Main Results:

  • Total N storage estimated at 10.43 Pg N (0.29 Pg N in vegetation, 10.14 Pg N in soil).
  • Active plant organs (leaf, root) store 62.07% of vegetation N.
  • Climate primarily influences vegetation N patterns; climate and soil nutrients influence soil N patterns.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first comprehensive N storage estimation for China.
  • Identified key drivers of spatial N distribution in vegetation and soil.
  • Developed valuable datasets for regional N cycle models and management strategies.