Do all bacteria fix nitrogen and role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the biosphere?
@ RK, no all bacteria cannot fix nitrogen. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil and within the root nodules of some leguminous plants can fix nitrogen and convert nitrogen gas in the atmosphere to ammonia. Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia to nitrites or nitrates. Ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are all fixed nitrogen and can be absorbed by plants. So, that way they are converting atmospheric nitrogen into fix nitrogen for plant uptake.
Nitrogen fixation takes place in a wide variety of bacteria, the best known of which is rhizobium which is found in nodules on the roots of leguminous plants such as peas, beans, soya and clover.Microorganisms capable of transforming atmospheric nitrogen into fixed nitrogen are as nitrogen-fixing bacteria. All other bacteria, except E. coli, are not capable of nitrogen fixation. The bacteria play an important role in the nitrogen fixation during the nitrogen cycle. In biological nitrogen fixation, the nitrogen fixing bacteria present in soil converts the nitrogen into ammonia. This ammonia is later converted into nitrites and then nitrates by other soil living bacteria. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil and within the root nodules of some plants convert nitrogen gas in the atmosphere to ammonia. Nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia to nitrites or nitrates. Ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are all fixed nitrogen and can be absorbed by plants. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water causes algae to grow faster than ecosystems can handle. Significant increases in algae harm water quality, food resources and habitats, and decrease the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. Bacteria break down dead organisms, animal waste, and plant litter to obtain nutrients. But microbes don't just eat nature's waste, they recycle it. The process of decomposition releases chemicals that can be used to build new plants and animals.
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