Nitrogen Fixation Nitrogen Fixation Nitrogen is the most abundant element in our atmosphere. It is a vital element as many classes of compounds essential to living systems are nitrogen-containing compounds. Nitrogen is a primary nutrient for all green plants, but it must be modified before it can be readily utilized by most living systems.
Nitrogen fixation is one process by which molecular nitrogen is reduced to form ammonia.
This complex process is carried out by nitrogen-fixing bacteria present in the soil. Another way by which ammonia may be formed is by the process called nitrification . In this process compounds called nitrates and nitrites, released by decaying organic matter are converted to ammonium ions by nitrifying bacteria present in the soil. The process carried out by these bacteria is also a complex series of oxidation-reduction reactions. O Another way in which molecular nitrogen is modified is via the discharge of lightning.