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Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation

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...

Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism

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...

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

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.

The Nitrogen Cycle

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...

1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview

1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO₂ Overview

Nitrous acid and nitric acids are two types of acids containing nitrogen, among which nitrous acid is weaker than nitric acid. Nitrous acid with a pKa value of 3.37 ionizes in water to give a nitrite ion and the hydronium ion.
The nitrous acid is unstable. Hence, it is formed in situ from a solution of sodium nitrite and cold aqueous acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. In an acidic solution, the –OH group of nitrous acid undergoes protonation to give oxonium ion, followed by...

2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2

2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO₂

Secondary amines react with nitrous acid to form N-nitrosamines, as depicted in Figure 1. Nitrous acid, a weak and unstable acid, is formed in situ from an aqueous solution of sodium nitrite and strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, in cold conditions. In the presence of an acid, the nitrous acid gets protonated. The subsequent loss of water results in the formation of the electrophile known as nitrosonium ion.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

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

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 availability affects denitrification in Phragmites australis sediments.

Elisa Soana¹, Anna Gavioli¹, Fabio Vincenzi¹

¹Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari, 46-44121, Ferrara, Italy.

Journal of Environmental Quality

|October 5, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Phragmites australis enhances denitrification, effectively removing nitrate pollution from agricultural runoff. Wetland restoration with this plant is a cost-effective solution for improving water quality.

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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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The Benthic Exchange of O2, N2 and Dissolved Nutrients Using Small Core Incubations

The Benthic Exchange of O2, N2 and Dissolved Nutrients Using Small Core Incubations

Published on: August 3, 2016

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Ecology
Biogeochemistry

Background:

Wetland vegetation plays a crucial role in mitigating eutrophication by processing nitrogen pollution.
Phragmites australis is commonly used for nitrogen remediation, but its response to varying nitrate concentrations is not well understood.
Understanding plant-mediated denitrification is vital for effective wetland management.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of nitrate concentration on denitrification rates in Phragmites australis-vegetated and unvegetated mesocosms.
To assess seasonal variations (summer and winter) in nitrate removal by wetland mesocosms.
To determine the optimal nitrate concentration for Phragmites australis-mediated denitrification.

Main Methods:

Outdoor mesocosms (vegetated and unvegetated) were spiked with varying nitrate concentrations (0.7–11.2 mg N L⁻¹).
Denitrification was quantified by measuring nitrate consumption and dinitrogen gas production.
Measurements were conducted during summer and winter incubation periods.

Main Results:

Nitrate availability significantly enhanced denitrification rates in both vegetated and unvegetated mesocosms.
Vegetated sediments showed greater adaptability, with nitrate removal rates increasing by an order of magnitude across the nitrate gradient.
Denitrification was the primary nitrate sink in winter and in vegetated summer mesocosms; nitrification supplemented denitrification in summer unvegetated mesocosms.
Denitrification followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with optimal P. australis-mediated removal up to 5.0 mg N L⁻¹.

Conclusions:

Phragmites australis significantly enhances denitrification, improving its capacity to remove nitrate pollution.
Wetland restoration using Phragmites australis is a cost-effective strategy for improving water quality in agricultural watersheds.
The findings provide crucial data for designing and managing wetlands to combat eutrophication.