NITROGEN CYCLE

Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the Earths atmosphere and it also very
essential for all living things. It is a component of all proteins. It makes up 78% of
the troposphere. Nitrogen cannot be absorbed directly by the plants and animals
until it is converted into compounds they can use. This process is called the
Nitrogen Cycle. Nitrogen compounds are present in organic materials, foods,
fertilizers, explosives and poisons. Nitrogen is crucial to life, but in excess it can
also be harmful to the environment.

Figure 6: Nitrogen Cycle

FIVE STEPS IN NITROGEN CYCLE

Nitrogen fixation

Atmospheric nitrogen occurs primarily in an inert form (N2) that few organisms
can use. Therefore it must be converted first to an organic or fixed form which is
ammonia (NH3) in a process called nitrogen fixation. Most atmospheric nitrogen is
fixed through biological processes. First, nitrogen is deposited from the atmosphere
into soils and surface waters, mainly through precipitation. Once in the soils and
surface waters, nitrogen undergoes a set of changes which is its two nitrogen atoms
separate and combine with hydrogen to form ammonia (NH4+). The process is done by
microorganisms that fall into three broad categories. They are bacteria living in
symbiotic relationships with certain plants, free anaerobic bacteria, and algae. Crops,
such as alfalfa and beans, are often planted in order to remedy the nitrogen-depletion
in soils, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria employ an enzyme, known as nitrogenase, to
split atmospheric nitrogen molecules into individual atoms for combination into other
compounds.

In order to break the inert N2 apart so that its atoms can combine with other atoms
requires the input of substantial amounts of energy. The three process that required for
Nitrogen breakdown are atmospheric fixation, biological fixation and also industrial
fixation. In atmospheric fixation, the enormous energy of lightning breaks nitrogen
molecules and enables their atoms to combine with oxygen in the air forming nitrogen
oxides. These nitrogen oxides then will dissolve in rain, forming nitrates (NO3-) and
will are carried to the earth. Its about 5-8% of nitrogen are fixed through this process.
Nitrogen can also be fixed through man-made processes, primarily industrial
processes that create ammonia and nitrogen-rich fertilizers.

During biological process, the used of active and right bacteria plays a very
important role to convert nitrogen into ammonium ion and nitrates ion. Some of these
bacteria are free-living, occurring in soil or water while others exist in symbiotic
relationship with plants of the Family Legxuninosae, for instance, nodule bacteria
Rhizobium leguminosarum. Species of the genus Rhizobium occur in the soil until
they infect a damaged epidermal cell or root hair. The plant responds to this infection
by producing root nodules, about 1 to 3 mm in diameter. These root nodules contain
leg hemoglobin, which functioning like hemoglobin, transports oxygen. As these
bacteria are aerobic, some oxygen is required for the bacteria to survive, but too much
oxygen inactivates the enzyme nitrogenase that catalyses nitrogen fixation.

Nitrification

Ammonia is well known as highly toxic compound. It cannot be simply taken by

plants and animals. It need to be convert first into nitrite (NO2-) then into nitrate
(NO3) before it can be consumes by plants and animals. This converting process only
can occur with the help of bacteria. The process is called nitrification, and these
bacteria are known as nitrifying bacteria.

Assimilation

Assimilation is a process by which nitrogen compounds in various forms, such as

nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and ammonium are taken up from soils by plants which are
then used in the formation of plant and animal proteins. Nitrate (NO3) formed in the
process of nitrification is used by most plants as a mineral metabolite then converted
by them into amino groups and other nitrogen containing compounds. Nitrates are
also added to the soil through rock dissolution and combination of atmospheric
nitrogen with oxygen by lightning (nitrates so formed reach the soil by rain).

Ammonification

When plants and animals die or either when animals emit wastes, the nitrogen in
the organic matter reenters the soil where it is broken down by other microorganisms,
known as decomposers. This decomposition produces ammonia which is then
available for other biological processes.

Denitrification

Nitrogen makes its way back into the atmosphere through a process called
denitrification. Nitrates is converted back to nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), di-nitrogen oxide
(N2O), nitrogen monoxide (NO) or nitrogen (N 2) by certain soil bacteria. Thus,
nitrogen is liberated into the atmosphere. Denitrification occurs primarily in wet soils
where microorganisms are difficult to get oxygen. Under these conditions, certain
organisms known as denitrifiying bacteria will process nitrate to gain oxygen, leaving
free nitrogen gas as a byproduct.
CAUSES OF HIGH NO (NOX)

Figure 7: Fraction of NOx emissions

Source - European Union emission inventory report 19902011 under the UNECE
Convention on Long-range Trans-boundary Air Pollution (LRTAP)

Based on the pie chart above, the highest contribute of Nitrogen Oxide or NO is from
road transports. This gases are created when an engine's combustion chamber
temperature reaches over 2500F. Currently, vehicle manufacturers have designed
safety systems in each transports that will cause only lower nitric oxide emissions.

When nitrogen is released during fuel combustion it combines with oxygen atoms
to create nitric oxide (NO). This further combines with oxygen to create nitrogen
dioxide (NO2). Nitric oxide is not considered to be hazardous to health at typical
ambient concentrations, but nitrogen dioxide can be considered as hazardous. This
nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide are referred to together as oxides of nitrogen (NO x)
gases.
 NOx gases react to form smog and acid rain. It also the main source for
formation of fine particles (PM) and ground level ozone, both of which are
associated with adverse health effects. The most problems related to road
transports that have bad influences for NOx emission are:-

Vehicle Problems How NOx Emission Produced

Lean fuel mixtures cause high NO x. A lean fuel mixture

exists when less fuel then required is delivered to the
combustion chambers or when more air then
necessary is added to the fuel. In either case the lack
of gasoline needed to cool the combustion chambers
down is not present. Combustion temperatures
Lean Fuel Mixture increase causing high nitric oxide emissions. A lean
fuel condition may be due to a vacuum leaks or
defective fuel control components, such as the Air Flow
Meter, Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor, and O2
sensors.

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation system is designed to

reduce NO. The EGR system consists of an EGR
valve, EGR pressure sensor, vacuum hoses, and one
or more vacuum switching valves or solenoids. New
model vehicles may be equipped with electronically
controlled EGR valves, which do not require vacuum
lines or switching solenoids. Electronic EGR systems
will have these components built in. The EGR system
Defective Exhaust Gas
Recirculation (EGR) is created to re-route a small amount of exhaust gas
System
back into the intake manifold to help reduce
combustion chamber temperatures. By recirculating
exhaust gas back into the intake, a small amount of the
air or fuel mixture is replaced with inert gas, reducing
combustion temperatures.

Defective Catalytic Some vehicle manufactures have designed their cars

Converter (CAT)
to operate without EGR valves. Non-EGR equipped
 vehicles rely heavily on the Catalytic Converter to
assist in the reduction of NO. These vehicles have
tendencies to develop CAT problems sooner then
those which are equipped.
Through engine's lifetime, carbon build-up will
develops in the engine's combustion chambers. The
more miles on engine, the more carbon build-up on the
pistons, cylinder heads and valves. Increasing carbon
build-up will decreases the available space for the air
or fuel mixture for combustion thus, causes higher
High Engine Mileage cylinder compression. High compression results in high
temperatures and high NOx. This problem is usually
seen in vehicles with over 150,000 miles which have
been poorly maintained. The solution to this problem is
called De-Carbonizing. It will remove a good amount of
carbon out of an engine. This will increase combustion
space, lower compression and lower NOx
Inadequate engine cooling can will high NOx. If your
vehicle's cooling system is not working efficiently, (i.e.
bad radiator, thermostat, hoses) high NOx will be
Engine Overheating
created. Remember high NOx nitric oxide is created
when an engine's combustion chamber temperatures
reach over 2500F.
 HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF NOx EMISSIONS

NOx causes a wide variety of health and environmental impacts due to various
compounds and derivatives in the family of nitrogen oxides. Its including nitrogen
dioxide, nitric acid, nitrous oxide, nitrates, and nitric oxide. NOx mainly impacts on
respiratory conditions causing inflammation of the airways at high levels. Long term
exposure can decrease lung function, increase the risk of respiratory conditions and
increases the response to allergens

Ground-level Ozone (Smog) - is formed when NOx and volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) react in the presence of heat and sunlight. People with lung diseases and
people who be outside are susceptible to adverse effects. For example of effects are
damage to lung tissue and reduction in lung function. Ozone can be transported by
wind currents, and can cause health impacts far from original sources. Other impacts
from ozone include damaged vegetation and reduced crop yields. High levels of NOx
can damaged leaves and reduced growth of vegetation. It can make vegetation more
susceptible to disease and frost damage.
 Figure 8: Effects of ground-level ozone due to NOx emissions

Acid Rain - NOx and sulfur dioxide react with other substances in the air to form
acids, which fall to earth as rain, fog, snow or dry particles. Some may be carried by
wind for hundreds of miles. Acid rain damages can causes deterioration of cars,
buildings and historical monuments and causes lakes and streams to become acidic
and unsuitable for many aquatic lives.

Particulate matter - NOx reacts with ammonia, moisture, and other compounds to
form nitric acid and related particles. Human health concerns include effects on
breathing and the respiratory system, damage to lung tissue, and premature death.
Small particles penetrate deeply into sensitive parts of the lungs and can cause or
worsen respiratory disease such as emphysema and bronchitis, and aggravate existing
heart disease.

Figure 9: Effect of particulate matter from NOx emissions

Water Quality Deterioration - Increased nitrogen loading in water bodies,

particularly coastal estuaries, upsets the chemical balance of nutrients used by aquatic
plants and animals. Additional nitrogen accelerates eutrophication, which leads to
oxygen depletion and reduces fish and shellfish populations. NOx emissions in the air
are one of the largest sources of nitrogen pollution in the Chesapeake Bay.

Global Warming - One type of gas of the NOx which is nitrous oxide, is a
greenhouse gas. It accumulates in the atmosphere with other greenhouse gasses
causing a gradual rise in the earth's temperature. This will lead to increased risks to
human health, a rise in the sea level, and other adverse changes to plant and animal
habitat.

Toxic Chemicals - In the air, NOx reacts readily with common organic chemicals and
even ozone, to form a wide variety of toxic products, some of which may cause
biological mutations. Examples of these chemicals include the nitrate radical,
nitroarenes, and nitrosamines.
Visibility Impairment - Nitrate particles and nitrogen dioxide can block the
transmission of light, reducing visibility in urban areas and on a regional scale.