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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

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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

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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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Bioremediation00:46

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Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
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Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

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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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Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2025

Estimating Sediment Denitrification Rates Using Cores and N2O Microsensors
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How can we possibly resolve the planet's nitrogen dilemma?

Silvio Matassa1, Pascal Boeckx2, Jos Boere3

  • 1Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.

Microbial Biotechnology
|November 15, 2022
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Sustainable protein production requires reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilizers. Exploring microbial proteins and biological nitrogen fixation offers environmentally friendly alternatives for global food security.

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Area of Science:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Reactive nitrogen production via the Haber Bosch process, crucial for global protein supply, heavily relies on fossil fuels.
  • The massive use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers poses significant environmental and sustainability threats.
  • Rising fossil fuel costs and global policies promoting sustainable agro-ecology necessitate a shift in nitrogen management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the environmental and economic unsustainability of current nitrogen fertilizer production.
  • To advocate for consumer acceptance of microbially produced proteins as sustainable alternatives.
  • To explore innovative nitrogen recovery and biological nitrogen fixation strategies for future feed and food supply chains.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current nitrogen production methods and their environmental impact.
  • Analysis of economic factors influencing nitrogen fertilizer costs.
  • Exploration of biotechnological approaches for nitrogen recovery and fixation.

Main Results:

  • Current nitrogen fertilizer production is energy-intensive and environmentally damaging.
  • Microbial proteins and recovered organic nitrogen offer sustainable alternatives with economic value.
  • Biological nitrogen fixation presents a promising avenue for future protein production.

Conclusions:

  • Transitioning to sustainable protein sources is imperative due to environmental concerns and economic pressures.
  • Investing in technologies for organic nitrogen recovery and biological nitrogen fixation is crucial for future food security.
  • Promoting microbial proteins and biological nitrogen fixation can enhance the sustainability of global feed and food systems.