Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Nitrogen cycle. Nitrification is the biological oxidation of ammonia to nitrate via the intermediary nitrite.Nitrification is an important step in the nitrogen cycle in soil.The process of complete nitrification may occur through separate organisms [1] or entirely within one organism, as in comammox bacteria.
Soil pH is a measure of the soil's acidity or alkalinity and is determined on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. A pH value below 7 indicates acidic soil, while a pH value above 7 indicates alkaline or basic soil. Soil acidification is a significant concern in agriculture and horticulture.
In the NO − 3 anion, the oxidation state of the central nitrogen atom is V (+5). This corresponds to the highest possible oxidation number of nitrogen. Nitrate is a potentially powerful oxidizer as evidenced by its explosive behaviour at high temperature when it is detonated in ammonium nitrate (NH 4 NO 3), or black powder, ignited by the shock wave of a primary explosive.
Nitrogen assimilation is the formation of organic nitrogen compounds like amino acids from inorganic nitrogen compounds present in the environment. Organisms like plants, fungi and certain bacteria that can fix nitrogen gas (N 2) depend on the ability to assimilate nitrate or ammonia for their needs.
Elevated nitrate in groundwater is a concern for drinking water use because nitrate can interfere with blood-oxygen levels in infants and cause methemoglobinemia or blue-baby syndrome. [28] Where groundwater recharges stream flow, nitrate-enriched groundwater can contribute to eutrophication , a process that leads to high algal population and ...
Nutrients in the soil are taken up by the plant through its roots, and in particular its root hairs.To be taken up by a plant, a nutrient element must be located near the root surface; however, the supply of nutrients in contact with the root is rapidly depleted within a distance of ca. 2 mm. [14] There are three basic mechanisms whereby nutrient ions dissolved in the soil solution are brought ...
Nitrogen leaching occurs when nitrogen compounds, primarily nitrates, move through the soil profile and enter groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water sources. [2] To mitigate these environmental impacts, various nitrogen management strategies are employed in agriculture.
In general, organic matter contacting soil has too little nitrogen to support the biosynthetic needs of the decomposing soil microbial population. If the C:N ratio of the decomposing organic matter is above circa 30:1 then the decomposing microbes may absorb nitrogen in mineral form as, e. g., ammonium or nitrates. This mineral nitrogen is said ...