The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
Comprising about 78% of the earth's atmosphere, nitrogen (N2) has an atomic number of seven and an atomic weight of 14. It has a much lower solubility in water than in air—there is approximately 200 times more nitrogen in the atmosphere than in the ocean. The main source of gaseous nitrogen is volcanic eruptions; the major nitrogen sinks are synthesis of nitrate in electrical storms and biological nitrogen fixation. All organisms need nitrogen. It forms part of the chlorophyll molecule in plants, it forms the nitrogen base in DNA and RNA, and it is an essential part of all amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Nitrogen is needed in large amounts for respiration, growth, and reproduction. Nitrogen oxides (NOx), produced mainly by motor vehicles and internal combustion engines, are one of the main contributors to acid rain. They react with water molecules in the atmosphere to form nitric acid.