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Related Concept Videos

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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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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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 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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Carbon-dioxide Fixation01:28

Carbon-dioxide Fixation

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Carbon dioxide fixation in prokaryotes enables the assimilation of inorganic carbon into organic molecules, supporting biosynthetic pathways, sustaining ecosystems, and contributing to the global carbon cycle. It also has industrial applications in carbon capture and bioproduct synthesis. Autotrophic organisms rely on this process to utilize CO₂ as a carbon source in diverse environments.The Calvin CycleThe Calvin cycle is the most widespread carbon fixation mechanism, primarily used by...
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Key Elements for Plant Nutrition02:35

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

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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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Monitoring Pedogenic Inorganic Carbon Accumulation Due to Weathering of Amended Silicate Minerals in Agricultural Soils.
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Mapping global soil acidification under N deposition.

Chen Chen1, Wenya Xiao2, Han Y H Chen1

  • 1Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University, Ontario, Thunder Bay, Canada.

Global Change Biology
|June 10, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition acidifies soils globally, with the most severe impacts on neutral soils and grasslands. This N pollution poses a significant threat to terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem functions worldwide.

Keywords:
atmospheric N depositionglobal mapmeta-analysissoil acidificationsoil buffering systemsoil depthterrestrial ecosystems

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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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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Soil Science
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Soil pH is crucial for nutrient availability, biodiversity, and ecosystem functions in terrestrial environments.
  • The impact of increasing nitrogen (N) deposition on global soil pH remains poorly understood, particularly in rapidly developing regions.
  • Nitrogen pollution is a growing environmental concern with potential cascading effects on ecosystems.

Approach:

  • A global meta-analysis was conducted using paired observations of soil pH from 634 studies under N addition and control.
  • Data spanned major terrestrial ecosystem types worldwide.
  • Relationships between N addition and soil pH changes were extrapolated to create global maps.

Key Points:

  • Soil acidification intensifies with increasing N addition, being most pronounced in neutral-pH soils.
  • Grasslands experience the most significant pH decrease under high N addition, while wetlands show the least acidification.
  • Global average soil pH has declined by -0.16 over the past 40 years due to atmospheric N deposition.

Conclusions:

  • Anthropogenically amplified atmospheric N deposition has significantly altered global soil pH and chemistry.
  • Hotspots for soil acidification under N deposition include Eastern United States, Southern Brazil, Europe, and South and East Asia.
  • Atmospheric N deposition represents a major threat to global terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystem functions.