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nas
trogen and its overwhelming abundance in the narG nir nitrite reductase, various kinds
IV napA nrf nitrite reductase
atmosphere, N2 is virtually inert; hence, fixed nxr associated with napA
inorganic nitrogen [most commonly nitrate (NO3– ) euk-nr norB nitric oxide reductase
and ammonium (NH4+ ) ions] often limits pri- nosZ nitrous oxide reductase
mary productivity in both marine and terrestrial III NO2- nif nitrogenase, various kinds
nir
ecosystems (2, 4, 5). Here, we review the nitro- amo ammonium monooxygenase
nir hao hydroxylamine oxidoreductase
D
interactions and feedbacks with other key ele- nxr nitrite oxidoreductase
NO
Oxidation state
II NO hh hydrazine hydrolase
ments, and the disruption of the cycle by humans
n
it
norB
fi
ion
-
cat
ti
o
n
DRNA
-I NH2OH
m
n
it
N2H4
io
ri
ix
ca
nif
-f
O2
O2
2+
Fe
Fe2+
Fe2+, H2S
2+
Fe
O2
Fe2+ Fe2+
O2
1016
1015
Productivity
(mol year -1) 1014
1013
Fig. 3. The marine nitrogen cycle responded to changes to biological evolution and ocean chemistry through geologic time. The five major biological
innovations are indicated by different vertical profiles of ocean chemistry. Rates of oceanic primary production (mol C year−1) also increased as they changed in
response to the evolving biosphere and the oxygenation of the oceans.