The Nitrogen Cycle and the Phosphorous Cycle: Mastery Test

Jake wants to enrich the nitrogen content of his soil through fixation. Which crop can he use for this purpose?

• wheat

• sugarcane

• cashew nuts

• alfalfa

usan is a geological researcher measuring the rate of removal of phosphorous from sedimentary rock during the phosphorous cycle. What process is Susan investigating?

• mineralization

• eutrophication

• weathering

• decomposition

Mary is campaigning for improved air quality in her city. She is very concerned about carbon and methane outputs, but not phosphorous. Why is that?

• She thinks phosphorous makes a positive contribution to air quality.

• Phosphorous is most commonly found as phosphate rock.

• She doesn’t know a lot about phosphorous.

• She doesn’t consider phosphorous to be a greenhouse gas.

In what form will Susan be able to capture that phosphorous as it is released from the sedimentary rock?

• phosphorous granules

• phosphate powder

• soluble phosphate

• soluble phosphorous

Jill takes her children to play in the park every afternoon. She notices that since the city changed their landscaping service, the pond in the center of the park is now covered with algae.

What is the most probable cause?

• too much rain

• not enough rain

• excessive application of fertilizer

• insufficient application of fertilizer

Select all the correct answers from menu.

What happens during nitrification?

During nitrification, bacteria convert ammonia into _______________

and ________________.

• nitrogen

• oxygen

• nitrite

• phosphorous

• nitrate

Type the correct answer in the box. Spell all words correctly.

What happens when nutrient levels become too concentrated in rivers, lakes, and oceans?

When nutrient levels get too high, water quality degrades and oxygen levels are depleted through a process known as _______________________________.

Type the correct answer in the box. Spell all words correctly.

What is the correct term for low levels of oxygen in a body of water?

When microbial action during decomposition in aquatic ecosystems removes too much oxygen, the body of water experiences ______________.

How much of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen gas?

• 87%
• 38%
• 78%
• 21%

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

After plants and animals contain nitrogen, what puts it back into atmosphere and soil?

• decomposition
• precipitation
• condensation
• bacteria

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3