According to measurements taken in the 1990\'s, the levels of inorganic nitrogen

Question

According to measurements taken in the 1990's, the levels of inorganic nitrogen in Arctic ecosystems were substantially lower than the amount of nitrogen actually taken up by plants. Which of the following is a possible explanation for this pattern?

A Arctic trees are able to perform nitrogen fixation with enzymes in their leaves B Microbes in the Arctic soil transform inorganic nitrogen into organic forms C Arctic sedges can take up organic forms of nitrogen D Arctic shrubs take up 60% of their nitrogen in the form of N2 E The soil of Arctic forests has high rates of denitrification, which releases inorganic nitrogen into the atmosphere

Explanation / Answer

b. Microbes in the Arctic soil transform inorganic nitrogen into organic forms.

According to measurements taken in the 1990's, the levels of inorganic nitrogen in Arctic ecosystems were substantially lower than the amount of nitrogen actually taken up by plants because the microbes in the Arctic soil transform inorganic nitrogen into organic forms (nitrogen immobilization, a net decrease in inorganic nirogen content).

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