Nitrogen Fixation | Golden Age
Nitrogen fixation is a chemical process by which molecular dinitrogen (N2) is converted into ammonia (NH3), an essential component of life on Earth. This proces
Overview
Nitrogen fixation is a chemical process by which molecular dinitrogen (N2) is converted into ammonia (NH3), an essential component of life on Earth. This process occurs both biologically and abiologically, with biological nitrogen fixation being catalyzed by enzymes called nitrogenases. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria have symbiotic relationships with plants, such as legumes, mosses, and aquatic ferns, and also occur in termites and fungi. Industrial nitrogen fixation underpins the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives, and other chemicals. With a global average media tone of neutral (0), nitrogen fixation is reportedly a critical component of the nitrogen cycle, with significant implications for agriculture, ecology, and the environment.