May 1, 2024
Updated June 5, 2025
12 minute read
An Introduction to the Nitrogen Cycle
The nitrogen cycle is the fundamental process by which nitrogen, an element essential for all life on Earth, circulates and is converted into various chemical forms. Think of it as a planet-wide recycling system, moving nitrogen between the atmosphere, land, and oceans. Although the air we breathe is about 78% nitrogen gas, most organisms cannot use it in this form. This natural cycle transforms inert atmospheric nitrogen into usable compounds that plants and animals need to build essential molecules like proteins and DNA.
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Reading list
We've selected 14 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Nitrogen Cycle.
Provides a broad overview of biogeochemistry, with significant coverage of the nitrogen cycle as a fundamental component. It is an excellent resource for gaining a foundational understanding of how nitrogen moves through Earth's systems. It serves as valuable background reading for students across various disciplines and is often used as a textbook in undergraduate and graduate environmental science programs.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the nitrogen cycle, including its ecological drivers and environmental impacts. It is written by a leading expert in the field and is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students.
As part of a larger treatise on geochemistry, this volume provides an in-depth and authoritative treatment of biogeochemistry, with significant focus on the nitrogen cycle. It comprehensive reference for graduate students and researchers in geochemistry, ecology, and earth sciences. It is more of a reference tool than a textbook for introductory learning.
This comprehensive book on soil microbiology covers various biogeochemical cycles in soil, with substantial content on the nitrogen cycle. It foundational text for soil scientists and environmental scientists, providing detailed information on microbial processes in the soil environment. It serves as an excellent reference.
Focuses on reactive nitrogen and its environmental impacts, including pollution and climate change. It is relevant for graduate students and professionals in environmental science and policy, offering a detailed look at the challenges posed by excess reactive nitrogen and potential management strategies.
Provides a comprehensive foundation in microbial ecology, with relevant sections on the role of microbes in nutrient cycles, including nitrogen. It is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students in microbiology and environmental science. It valuable resource for understanding the ecological context of the nitrogen cycle and the interactions of microorganisms involved.
Explores the nitrogen cycle from ecological and biotechnological perspectives, including its environmental impacts. It is relevant for students and researchers interested in applying biotechnological solutions to nitrogen-related environmental problems. It covers contemporary topics such as greenhouse gas emissions and wastewater treatment.
This publication from the OECD examines the impacts of human activities on the nitrogen cycle and the associated environmental risks. It is relevant for policymakers, researchers, and advanced students interested in the broader societal and economic implications of nitrogen management. It highlights contemporary issues and the challenges of managing nitrogen on a global scale.
Focuses specifically on the effects of nitrogen deposition on various ecosystems. It valuable resource for ecologists and environmental scientists studying the consequences of excess nitrogen in natural and semi-natural environments. It delves into a specific contemporary issue related to the nitrogen cycle.
Offers a unique historical and social perspective on the nitrogen cycle and its relationship to human activities and sustainability. It is suitable for a broader audience, including those in environmental studies, history of science, and social sciences, providing valuable context for the contemporary challenges related to nitrogen.
Provides a fundamental introduction to environmental science, including a discussion of the nitrogen cycle as a key environmental process. It is appropriate for high school and early undergraduate students seeking a basic understanding of the topic within a broader environmental context.
While a broader Earth science text, this book includes sections on biogeochemical cycles, offering a good starting point for understanding the nitrogen cycle within the context of Earth's systems. It is suitable for high school and introductory undergraduate students needing a general overview.
Provides a detailed overview of denitrification, a process in the nitrogen cycle that converts nitrate to nitrogen gas. It is written by a leading expert in the field and is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/r12u2t/nitrogen
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