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Related Concept Videos

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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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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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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Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites
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Solid digestate biochar amendment on pig manure composting: Nitrogen cycle and balance.

Jingwen Wang1, Junting Pan2, Xuzhe Ma1

  • 1College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.

Bioresource Technology
|February 14, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Adding digestate biochar (DB) to compost significantly reduced nitrogen loss from ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions. This biochar amendment also enhanced nitrogen fixation, improving the final compost quality and conserving valuable nutrients.

Keywords:
CompostNH(3) lossNitrogen cyclePig manureSolid digestate biochar

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Soil Science
  • Agricultural Chemistry

Background:

  • Composting is a vital process for waste management and nutrient recycling.
  • Nitrogen (N) loss during composting, primarily as ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O), reduces fertilizer value and contributes to environmental pollution.
  • Biochar, a stable carbon-rich material derived from biomass pyrolysis, has shown potential in mitigating composting emissions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of solid digestate biochar (DB) on the nitrogen cycle and balance during the composting of pig manure and Lycium chinensis branch filings.
  • To quantify the reduction in NH3 and N2O emissions with DB addition.
  • To assess the impact of DB on nitrogen fixation and microbial community structure during composting.

Main Methods:

  • Composting mixtures of pig manure and Lycium chinensis branch filings were prepared with and without the addition of solid digestate biochar (DB).
  • Nitrogen balance calculations were performed to quantify total N loss and emissions of NH3 and N2O.
  • Analysis of nitrogen fixation rates and characterization of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial communities were conducted.

Main Results:

  • DB addition improved the composting microenvironment and increased the total N content in the final compost product.
  • NH3 and N2O emissions, as a percentage of total N loss, were significantly reduced by DB amendment, from 72.14%-81.39% to <5.73% and from 0.49%-2.37% to <0.041%, respectively.
  • DB enhanced nitrogen fixation, with 92.32%-93.67% of total N fixed in the compost compared to 85.63% without DB. DB also promoted aerobic bacteria while inhibiting anaerobic bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Solid digestate biochar (DB) effectively mitigates NH3 and N2O emissions during composting.
  • DB amendment enhances nitrogen conservation and fixation, leading to a higher quality compost product.
  • The shift in microbial communities towards aerobic bacteria, promoted by DB, is key to emission reduction and nutrient retention.