Question

What are artificial and natural methods of nitrogen fixation?

Answer 1

Natural methods of nitrogen fixation:

1. Atmospheric nitrogen fixation: When lightning strikes, the high temperatures and pressures in the air convert nitrogen into nitrogen oxides.
2. Biological nitrogen fixation: This is done by a few types of bacteria (which can be free-living like Azotobacter or symbiotic like Rhizobium) that can convert inert nitrogen molecules into forms like nitrates and nitrites that plants can take up and use to make the required molecules (proteins).

Artificial method of nitrogen fixation:

Industrial fixation: This is done in fertilizer manufacturing industries where nitrogen and hydrogen from the atmosphere are used to form ammonia, which is then used to make fertilizers like urea and ammonium nitrate.