An Overview About Nitrogen

Nitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol N, the atomic number 7, and the mass 14.007u. Nitrogen is abundant on Earth, accounting for 78 percent of the atmosphere’s gas; the rest is oxygen gas, accounting for roughly 21% of the atmosphere’s gas, with traces of other gases. Nitrogen exists in the atmosphere as the diatomic molecule N₂, which aids in the growth of plants and animals like ourselves. Within both Nitrogen atoms, the N₂ molecule features a unique triple bond, the second strongest diatomic link between any two atoms. As a result, the cause behind Nitrogen gas’s inert behaviour. Nitrogen also has a 1s² 2s² 2p³ electrical structure, which adds five valence electrons and makes among the most electronegative atoms.

Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrification is a biogeochemical process in which nitrogen is converted into various forms before being returned to the atmosphere via soil and organisms. Some of the processes involved are nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, degradation, and putrefaction. Nitrogen gas comes in both organic and inorganic forms. Organic nitrogen is found in living organisms and is passed down the food chain through the consumption of other living organisms. Large amounts of inorganic nitrogen can be found in the atmosphere. Symbiotic bacteria that can convert inert nitrogen into usable forms like nitrites and nitrates make it available to plants. Nitrogen undergoes a variety of transformations in order to preserve ecosystem balance. This process also affects a variety of biomes, with the maritime nitrogen cycle being among the most complex biogeochemical cycles.

Nitrogen Fixation

The nitrogen cycle begins with this phase. Atmospheric nitrogen (N₂), which is predominantly available in an inert form, is transformed to the useful form -ammonia- in this process (NH₃). The neutral form of nitrogen gas is accumulated into soils from the atmosphere and surface waters during the nitrogen fixation process, primarily by precipitation. Later, the nitrogen goes through a series of modifications that result in the separation of two nitrogen atoms, which mix with hydrogen to produce ammonia (NH₄⁺). Diazotrophs, a type of symbiotic bacteria, complete the nitrogen fixation process. Other essential participants in this process are Azotobacter and Rhizobium. The nitrogenase enzyme in these bacteria is capable of combining gaseous nitrogen along with hydrogen to produce ammonia. Nitrogen can be fixed in two ways: through atmospheric fixation, which involves lightning, or through industrial fixation, which necessitates the synthesis of ammonia at high temperatures and pressures. Artificial operations, particularly those that produce ammonia and nitrogen-rich fertilisers, can also aid.

Uses of Nitrogen

• It’s used to generate ammonia, which is then converted into nitric acid, which is used as a fertiliser
• Potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and nitric acid are examples of nitric acid salts. Common explosives include nitro glycerine and other nitrated organic chemicals
• In the delivery and freezing of food, liquid nitrogen is utilised as a refrigerant. Liquid nitrogen is also utilised to keep biological material stable, as well as to preserve bodies and reproductive cells
• Nitrogen is found in all living tissue and comprises approximately 78 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere. Nitrogen is a vital component of life because it is a component of DNA and hence a part of the genetic code
• Soil contains a lot of nitrogen molecules. Both water and soil contain nitrogen in the form of nitrates and nitrites. The nitrogen cycle, which is connected to the carbon cycle, includes all of these chemicals

Conclusion 

Despite the abundance of nitrogen in the atmosphere, animals and plants cannot use it unless it is converted into nitrogen molecules. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are essential for converting atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen molecules that plants can utilise. Through their roots, the plants take the usable nitrogen molecules from the soil. These nitrogen molecules are then utilised in the cell to make proteins and other substances. Creatures absorb nitrogen by eating these plants or other nitrogen-containing animals. Proteins from such plants and animals are consumed by humans, and the nitrogen is assimilated into our system.