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What would happen if nitrogen disappeared from Earth's atmosphere?

  • Writer: Wonjun Lee
    Wonjun Lee
  • Apr 29, 2024
  • 2 min read

What would happen if nitrogen disappeared from Earth's atmosphere? Nitrogen makes up 78% of Earth's atmosphere. Oxygen accounts for about 21% of it.


 

 [Source:Byjus.com]


 As you can see, most of the Earth's atmosphere is nitrogen, but it is not clear where the nitrogen came from and filled the atmosphere. Nitrogen is found to be less abundant than iron in the universe. Nitrogen is odorless and harmless to humans, so it is difficult to feel it. Unlike oxygen, which easily combines with other substances, nitrogen does not react easily with other substances and has a low freezing point of -210 degrees to -196 degrees, so it has little effect on other substances at normal temperature and pressure. Nitrogen is also cheaper than other gases. Nitrogen is added to the snack bag to create an airbag, which makes the snack safe and reduces the possibility of bacterial growth. What would happen if this nitrogen disappeared?

 

First of all, nitrogen acts as an important nutrient for plant growth. Bacteria called nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen into compounds that plants can absorb and use to grow. Without this, plants would die from lack of nutrients. As a result, plants-eating animals and humans will also suffer from a lack of nutrients.

 

Moreover, if this nitrogen were to disappear from the Earth, most life would die. Among the bacteria, there are “nitrogen-fixing bacteria,” which convert nitrogen into nitrogen compounds so that it can be easily used as a substance. Plants absorb those nitrogen compounds and create nutrients. Nucleic acids such as proteins, DNA, and RNA are produced, but if nitrogen disappears, nutrients can no longer be produced. Plants die from lack of nutrients. Then, the food chain will be broken and the ecosystem will no longer be able to be maintained. All living things will starve because both animals and humans who eat plants will have no food to eat.

 

Lastly, nitrogen plays an important role in maintaining balance in our ecosystem. This manifests itself in many aspects, from the supply of nutrients to living things to the composition of the atmosphere. We must fully understand the importance of nitrogen and consider its impact on our lives and ecosystems. Therefore, nitrogen is one of the precious resources we need to protect.

 

Taken together, the loss of nitrogen could have devastating effects on Earth's ecosystem. They disrupt the supply of nutrients to living things and can pose risks to the environment and human health due to changes in atmospheric composition. Therefore, nitrogen must remain an important part of our ecosystem. We must recognize that it is essential for our lives and that it plays an important role in maintaining a sustainable environment.


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