Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Nitrogen Cycle


The nitrogen cycle is a combination of many things. The first step is the wastes produced by fish. It produces ammonia and carbon dioxide in the water. The plants then take in that carbon dioxide and release it to the atmosphere. Nitrosomonas bacteria change ammonia into nitrite. Next, nitrobacter bacteria change nitrite into nitrate. Finally, plants and water changes remove the nitrate. The plants, animals, and bacteria play a major role in this cycle. The animals produce the wastes that are the cause of this cycle, plus they produce carbon dioxide and take it oxygen. Plants take in the wastes of ammonia and carbon dioxide, while producing oxygen for the fish to live. The bacteria are how the ammonia is changed and removed from the water. If one of these three things were not present, the ecosystem would not function properly. Without one, the carbon dioxide could be too high. The ammonia could not be removed or nitrite would kill the aquatic life. It is a balance and every part of the cycle is a key factor in making the environment healthy and working.  

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