Talk:Nitrogen Cycle

Hi. Overall, I like the page. We have a link from our page (carbon cycle) to your page. "Microorganisms" is spelled incorrectly in all the headings. Seeing as there are no specific organisms listed in some of the "Key Microorganisms" sections, you should add some links or perhaps eliminate the sections altogether. Y'all did a great job on the current research section. I hope that Irina and Professor Scow like the page as much as I did!Jmmullane 06:09, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

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In the introduction, it might be good to add other sources of ammonium that enter the system, like fertilizer or manure. N-fixation isn't the only ammonium entering many systems. Also, I think it is misleading to say the cycle begins and stops at a given substance. The nitrogen cycle is just that, a cycle.

Look over the Intro again- atmospheric N2 is inorganic. It is converted to organic N when it is fixed and amino acids / nucleic acids are synthesized.

You say N2 is "unavailable for biological activity due to the high energy required to break the triple bond." This is incorrect. If N2 was biologically unavailable, no fixation would occur and the cycle would come to a halt. The fact that some organisms can fix N means it is biologically available to them, albeit at a significant energy cost.

"Nitrogen mineralization is the sum of concurrent ammonium production and consumption processes." Net mineralization may be the sum of ammonium production and consumption, but mineralization in general refers to NH4 release from the cells. Icclark 05:32, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

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You should check and make sure that all microbe names are italicized and capitalized (except specific epithet. I noticed 2 in the intro that need it. you italicize by putting two apostrophes at either end of the word like so Njblackburn 04:19, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

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Also, I was a bit confused by "The nitrogen cycle begins when atmospheric N2 is transformed by organisms to NH4. This process is known as mineralization, when organic nitrogen is transformed into inorganic nitrogen." N₂ isn't organic, is it? and mineralization is the conversion of organic N to NH₄, with fixation being the conversion of atmospheric N to orgaqnic N (mineralization isn't the whole conversion of atmospheric N₂ to NH₄).Njblackburn 04:29, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

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Hi N-people! Overall good lookin’ page! I have copied and pasted sentences from your section to this discussion board and added comments so you can better understand my comments: first section: “Denitrification is when nitrate gets converted into atmospheric nitrogen which is a greenhouse gas.” Not all forms of atmospheric N are greenhouse gases- I would clarify this. Nitrogen cycle processes:” Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all life on earth. It is present in various forms such as dinitrogen gas, organic nitrogen, and ammonium and nitrate ions.” -nitrous oxide? nitric oxide? nitrite? I would suggest including all N forms in this list or maybe rephrase the sentence- slightly misleading. “Nitrogen mineralization is the sum of concurrent ammonium production and consumption processes.”-is this correct? (in terms of defining mineralization?) For the section on denitrification, I think you need to elaborate a bit on how nitrous oxide is released into the atmosphere since it’s not in the chemical formula for that section. Does nitrate go directly to N2? “Denitrification reduces the amount of nitrate from the environment by converting it into atmospheric nitrogen which is a greenhouse gas.”- again, not all atmospheric N is a ghg. maybe just clarify? I agree with the others about C:N 20-30 boundary stuff. Maybe just rephrase so it’s a little less of a concrete-boundary? Overall really good job, Heather

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Very nice work people. I think you really broke it down well for people that might be unfamiliar with the topic. In terms of the C/N discussion I agree with Kate in that some how it should be incorporated into immobilization and mineralization. Another thing with the C/N stuff is that the values that Kate gave (you know like <20 and >30) I am pretty sure are just generalizations. It would be good to note that in your discussion so that it is clear that these are not hard and fast numbers. Other than that there are some sentence level things that I think you could clear up by just reading through it and editing it for grammar and even some spelling and punctuation. The last thing would be some other formatting to make it clear what the subheadings and superheadings are (maybe adding numbers like 1,2,3 to the superheadings or some other clear distinction) because with the way it is set up now with the template the only distinction is a little bit smaller font. In terms of formatting, one last, last thing is to make sure your general template is the same, so for instance if you choose to use a "chemistry" subheading for the location of chemical reactions then have that be the same for each superheading. Over all great job though guys!!!Kjmuzikar 23:25, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

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Okay cool thanks,i changed the c/n ratio to match what your are talking about thanks Njppatel 06:38, 14 March 2008 (UTC)

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Awesome page guys! It was a fun read. I especially like the image for "N Cycle Showing Aerobic and Anaerobic Processes". Though over-simplified, it does demonstrate well the over-all big picture. I agree with Paul: "you really know your N!" Leslie Peacock 09:40, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

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Thank you for the compliment LeslieNjppatel 18:54, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

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Great job! Under the Nitrogen Fixation section, I would suggest expanding on the Key Microorganisms by name dropping a few microbes that have exhibited the ability to fix nitrogen. I would suggest mentioning: Rhizobium, Bradyrhizobium and Azotobacter. Sdemetriou 07:28, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

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Hmmm that would be a good idea, i will look into adding those n fixers into the section, Ok it has been fixed under the nitrogen fixation section thanks again for inputNjppatel 18:54, 13 March 2008 (UTC)

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I suggested putting 2.4 as a subheading under 2.3 though now I see it is about both mineralization and immobilization. I still think it is a little odd to have it called out as its own heading after these 2 processes. Perhaps you could include it within mineralization section and not as heading. Or you could combine mineral/immob and have C/N as first subsection. It is up to you folks, though.

Kate Scow 15:18, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

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It is really an issue assocdo you really mean, under environmental concerns, that nitrificatoin has POSITIVE impacts on groundwater pollution. Seems like negative impact to me. Kate Scow 07:22, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

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Most of nitrogen cycle related microbes are popular and already created in wiki.However,I create a new microbe page at http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Thiomicrospira_denitrificans. Let check it. Tantayotai 00:39, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

Wow, good job Tee. Make sure to add the new page to your watchlist so you get notified on comments. Irina C 01:03, 11 March 2008 (UTC)

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Good start. A couple of comments. N cycle is biogeochemical not just chemical cycle. Also add that nitrate is then converted to N2 gas and then everything repeats itself. Kate Scow

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Great start! See if you can find some key nitrogen cycle organisms on the microbewiki and create links to their pages. Then start a page for a new microbe by using the code of an existing page as a template and editing the content. Remember to cite your sources!

Irina C 21:45, 10 February 2008 (UTC)

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I would suggest putting the microbes involved under each subheading. you can have nitrosomonas/nitrobacter and archaea under nitrification. Facultative anaerobes under denitr. Just mention breadth of organisms involved in immob/mineralization and why there is that breadth.

Kate Scow

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For global warming, you can find lots of good links for greenhouse gases. One good one would be good. Kate Scow

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Remember to cite references for your information, especially for somewhat unique info (like alternative nitrogenases) Kate Scow

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hi, you really know your N! looks real good. I was going to suggest considering "Introduction" for #1. -Paul W

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I would suggest putting C/N ratio under the category of immobilization as it is a subtopic of this process. Kate Scow

as mentioned early, the relevant organisms sections could be more developed. This goes for our page as well, because it takes some time. the pictures you have at the top really add to initial appearance of the page. perhaps include a picture in the relevant microbes section so that the viewers interest is rekindled in the lower part of your page. congrats on the good work, keep it up! Pbwebb 04:22, 14 March 2008 (UTC) ----