Nitrogénmegkötés

Nitrogénmegkötés is the Hungarian term for nitrogen fixation. It refers to the biological or artificial process by which atmospheric nitrogen (N2), a molecule unusable by most living organisms, is converted into ammonia (NH3) or other nitrogen compounds that can be assimilated. This transformation is essential for life on Earth as nitrogen is a key component of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

The most significant form of nitrogen fixation occurs naturally through microbial processes. Certain bacteria, including symbiotic bacteria like Rhizobium found in the root nodules of legumes, and free-living bacteria such as Azotobacter and Clostridium, possess the enzyme nitrogenase. This enzyme catalyzes the reduction of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, typically under anaerobic conditions. This biological nitrogen fixation is a vital part of the global nitrogen cycle, replenishing the supply of usable nitrogen in ecosystems.

Artificial nitrogen fixation, most notably the Haber-Bosch process, allows for the industrial production of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gas at high temperatures and pressures using a catalyst. This process is crucial for the production of synthetic fertilizers, which have significantly increased agricultural yields worldwide. However, the energy-intensive nature of the Haber-Bosch process also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Other less common methods of nitrogen fixation include atmospheric processes like lightning, which can convert nitrogen into nitrogen oxides that enter the soil.