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Related Concept Videos

The Phosphorus Cycle01:21

The Phosphorus Cycle

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Unlike carbon, water, and nitrogen, phosphorus is not present in the atmosphere as a gas. Instead, most phosphorus in the ecosystem exists as compounds, such as phosphate ions (PO43-), found in soil, water, sediment and rocks. Phosphorus is often a limiting nutrient (i.e., in short supply). Consequently, phosphorus is added to most agricultural fertilizers, which can cause environmental problems related to runoff in aquatic ecosystems.
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Overview of Nitrogen Metabolism01:20

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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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The Nitrogen Cycle01:49

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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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Inorganic Nitrogen Assimilation01:22

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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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Primary Production01:06

Primary Production

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The total amount of energy acquired by primary producers in an ecosystem is called gross primary production (GPP). However, of this energy, producers use some for metabolic processes, and some is lost as heat, decreasing the amount of energy available to the next trophic level. The remaining usable amount of energy is called the net primary productivity (NPP). In terrestrial ecosystems, NPP is driven by climate, while light penetration and nutrient availability drive NPP in aquatic ecosystems.
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Other Nuclides: 31P, 19F, 15N NMR01:16

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Many organic, inorganic, and biological molecules contain spin-half nuclei such as nitrogen-15, fluorine-19, and phosphorus-31. As a result, NMR studies of these nuclei have found extensive applications in chemical and biological research.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Design and Construction of an Urban Runoff Research Facility
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The global nitrogen-phosphorus imbalance.

Josep Peñuelas1,2, Jordi Sardans1,2

  • 1Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), Bellaterra 08193, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 20, 2022
PubMed
Summary

An imbalance in natural ecosystems poses significant threats to biodiversity and global food security. Addressing this imbalance is crucial for environmental health and sustainable agriculture.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Environmental Science
  • Agricultural Science

Background:

  • Natural ecosystems are experiencing unprecedented imbalances.
  • These imbalances disrupt critical ecological processes.
  • Such disruptions have far-reaching implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the consequences of ecological imbalance.
  • To highlight the impact on natural ecosystems.
  • To assess the effects on global food security.

Main Methods:

  • Ecological surveys and data analysis.
  • Food security assessments.
  • Ecosystem service evaluations.

Main Results:

  • Significant negative impacts on biodiversity observed.
  • Disruptions in ecosystem services identified.
  • Threats to global food production documented.

Conclusions:

  • Ecological imbalance has grave consequences.
  • Urgent action is needed to restore ecosystem balance.
  • Mitigation strategies are essential for food security.