NewsNews http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33045773/ns/us_news-environment/ http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,359567,00.html http://web.mit.edu/mitei/research/spotlights/cell-batteries.html http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2009/09/28/reco

rd_year_for_nh_falcons/ http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/09/28/aquarium_and_ro

ger_williams_university_grow_first_triggerfish_to_be_raised_in_captivity/ http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/09/25/http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/09/25/

fanged_frog_162_other_new_species_found_in_mekong/fanged_frog_162_other_new_species_found_in_mekong/ http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/09/28/http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/09/28/

as_bats_disappear_at_a_rapid_rate_a_national_response_plan_is_drafted/as_bats_disappear_at_a_rapid_rate_a_national_response_plan_is_drafted/ http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2009/09/27/http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/articles/2009/09/27/

environmentalists_seek_to_wipe_out_plush_toilet_paper/environmentalists_seek_to_wipe_out_plush_toilet_paper/ http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/27/http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/27/

mother_nature_ready_to_reward_new_england_with_vivid_foliage/mother_nature_ready_to_reward_new_england_with_vivid_foliage/

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

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Needs

• Amino Acidsproteins

• Nucleic Acids

• Chlorophyll

• Carbon to Nitrogen ratio

Forms of NitrogenForms of Nitrogen

NN22 (Atmosphere, inert) (Atmosphere, inert)

Useable NitrogenUseable Nitrogen NHNH33 (Ammonia) (Ammonia) NOx (NO + NO2)NOx (NO + NO2) NONO33

-- (Nitrate) & NO (Nitrate) & NO22-- (Nitrite) (Nitrite)

HNOHNO33 (Nitric Acid) (Nitric Acid) Organic Nitrogen (NOrganic Nitrogen (Norgorg))

SourcesSources

Nitrogen Fixing bacteriaNitrogen Fixing bacteria LegumesLegumes CloverClover CyanobacteriaCyanobacteria

LightningLightning Haber Process (factory fertilizer production)Haber Process (factory fertilizer production) Internal combustion engines (cars)Internal combustion engines (cars) Mankind has doubled N-inputs to coastal areasMankind has doubled N-inputs to coastal areas

eutorphicationeutorphication

We have doubled the usable N to We have doubled the usable N to Coastal WatersCoastal Waters

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Fall ColorsFall Colors Chlorophyll-N recalledChlorophyll-N recalled Accessory pigments shownAccessory pigments shown Huge loss of C, but not NHuge loss of C, but not N Carotenoids-Yellows and orangesCarotenoids-Yellows and oranges Anthocyaninins-Reds and PurplesAnthocyaninins-Reds and Purples

Cool nights, sunny days (sunscreen?)Cool nights, sunny days (sunscreen?)

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Lawn calculationLawn calculation

If you add 1 pound of nitrogen fertilizer to If you add 1 pound of nitrogen fertilizer to your lawn, how many pounds of lawn your lawn, how many pounds of lawn clippings must you carry away?clippings must you carry away?

WaterWater Carbon/Nitrogen ratioCarbon/Nitrogen ratio

Phosporus CyclePhosporus Cycle

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Sulfur CycleSulfur Cycle

Image courtesy of Environmental Protection Agency

Biogeochemical CyclesBiogeochemical Cycles

Conservation of MassConservation of Mass Can’t make or destroy, only change the form of C, Can’t make or destroy, only change the form of C,

N, S, P, etc.N, S, P, etc. Earth SystemsEarth Systems

Global cycling of elementsGlobal cycling of elements Cycles are linkedCycles are linked

Stoichiometry (C/N ratios)Stoichiometry (C/N ratios) Biotic and Abiotic cycles are intimately linkedBiotic and Abiotic cycles are intimately linked

Bacteria drive many biogeochemical cyclesBacteria drive many biogeochemical cycles