Organic Nitrogen: Sources, Fates, and Chemistry

TLDR: In this paper, the authors provide an overview of previous studies on processes related to organic nitrogen in the natural environment and also bridge between nitrogen biochemistry and geochemistry mainly through isotopic signature to provide useful introduction for the future studies.

Abstract: Nitrogen is an essential element in living systems and plays key roles in biochemical and physiological processes in the cell. It is dispensable for the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, and many other organic molecules produced by organisms. This chapter not only aims to provide an overview of previous studies on processes related to organic nitrogen in the natural environment but also tries to bridge between nitrogen biochemistry and geochemistry mainly through isotopic signature to provide useful introduction for the future studies. It describes the biogeochemical aspects of the degradation of nitrogenous compounds, both in the water column and sediments. Such information is useful for interpreting the various types of sedimentary nitrogen represented in the isotopic record. It focuses mainly on nitrogen-related biogeochemical processes in the context of molecular isotopic signatures, with an emphasis on the aquatic realm.