Nitrogen Cycle
Created by Anthony Farve
A farmer applies large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer before heavy rain. Trace the environmental impacts step-by-step from the field to the ocean.
1. Fertilizer is washed off by rain
2. Nitrogen is deposited into nearby rivers/lakes
3. Excess nitrogen leads to algae blooms blocking sunlight
4. Lack of sunlight leads to the death of plants
5. Decomposers begin decomposing dead plants/algae
6. Decomposers use up large amounts of dissolved oxygen, creating hypoxic conditions.
7. Fish and organisms die off due to lack of oxygen.
8. Biodiversity decreases.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
A farmer applies large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer before heavy rain. Trace the environmental impacts step-by-step from the field to the ocean. | 1. Fertilizer is washed off by rain
2. Nitrogen is deposited into nearby rivers/lakes
3. Excess nitrogen leads to algae blooms blocking sunlight
4. Lack of sunlight leads to the death of plants
5. Decomposers begin decomposing dead plants/algae
6. Decomposers use up large amounts of dissolved oxygen, creating hypoxic conditions.
7. Fish and organisms die off due to lack of oxygen.
8. Biodiversity decreases. |
Explain the process of the nitrogen cycle from the start to finish. (Use correct terms for stages) | 1. N2 Gas is in the atmosphere
2. Nitrogen fixing bacteria converts n2 gas into NH3 (ammonification)
3.) More bacteria converts NH3 into No2 then No3 (Nitrification)
4.) No3 can be used by plants or turned back into nitrogen gas by more bacteria. |