Fertile Ground The nitrogen cycle describes the fluxes of n…
Fertile Ground The nitrogen cycle describes the fluxes of nitrogen atoms among air, land, and water. Nitrogen enters the atmosphere in the form of nitrogen gas (N2) when bacteria break down nitrogen compounds stored in soil. Nitrogen also enters soil as bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen to NO3-, which can be absorbed by plants. Water contacting soil will pick up nitrogen and carry it to a lake or ocean. In recent decades, the use of fertilizers containing nitrogen has increased the amount of nitrogen that flows into lakes and oceans, causing blooms of algal referred to as eutrophication. All the nitrogen in fertilizers will end up in bodies of water. True or False?
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