The Nitrogen Cycle

The nitrogen cycle is imperative in an aquatic ecosystem. It starts out when food is put into the water and the fish urinate. One of the main components in urine is in fact ammonia. The ammonia is then broken down into nitrite by the bacteria nitrosomonas. The nitrite is then broken down by the bacteria nitrobacter into nitrate. Once in this form, plants take up the nitrate, though this is only temporary because once the plant dies, the nitrate is then released back into the water. Without the nitrogen cycle, ecosystems couldn't function properly because the build up of ammonia will kill the fish and other organisms.