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A significant abiotic pathway for the formation of unknown nitrogen in nature
Author(s) -
Jokic A.,
Schulten H.R.,
Cutler J. N.,
Schnitzer M.,
Huang P. M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2003gl018520
Subject(s) - abiotic component , nitrogen , chemistry , abiotic stress , ecosystem , sugar , abiogenesis , amino acid , maillard reaction , organic chemistry , environmental chemistry , astrobiology , ecology , biology , biochemistry , gene
The global nitrogen cycle is of prime importance in natural ecosystems. However, the origin and nature of up to one‐half of total soil N remains obscure despite all attempts at elucidation. Our data provide, for the first time, unequivocal evidence that the promoting action of Mn (IV) oxide on the Maillard reaction (sugar‐amino acid condensation) under ambient conditions results in the abiotic formation of heterocyclic N compounds, which are often referred to as unknown nitrogen, and of amides which are apparently the dominant N moieties in nature. The information presented is of fundamental significance in understanding the role of mineral colloids in abiotic transformations of organic N moieties, the incorporation of N in the organic matrix of fossil fuels, and the global N cycle.