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News Release 18-021
New source of global nitrogen discovered: Earth’s bedrock
Nutrient fuels plant growth worldwide
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![A forest with barren acidic areas.](/news/mmg/media/images/picture3_9d361a38-de9f-4a43-ac8b-eab6d2bc231a_f.jpg)
Nitrogen from bedrock can result in side-by-side productive forests and barren acidic areas.
Credit: Scott Morford
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![Sedimentary rocks of the Grand Canyon.](/news/mmg/media/images/picture5_f26a9d64-b24c-4aa2-8302-d587de77c6d1_f.jpg)
Sedimentary rocks of the Grand Canyon. This rock type contains high levels of nitrogen.
Credit: Scott Morford
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![Redwood forest in northern California.](/news/mmg/media/images/picture6_a00605d8-8503-4b65-8493-664cf250d86f_f.jpg)
The redwood forests of northern California often develop on nitrogen-rich bedrock.
Credit: Scott Morford
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![Patch of ground in the Pacific Northwest, with scientist making soil analyses.](/news/mmg/media/images/picture4_abd15c41-293c-42da-af4c-2720137584f4_f.jpg)
Soil analyses from the Pacific Northwest show the long-term rates of rock nitrogen input.
Credit: Scott Morford
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![Sedimentary rocks with hammer lying on top.](/news/mmg/media/images/picture2_8b43d545-10f4-4cef-b2d6-60e6a0b73e49_f.jpg)
Sedimentary rocks contain, on average, around 400 parts per million nitrogen, a high level.
Credit: Scott Morford
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![Marine rocks from northern California.](/news/mmg/media/images/picture1_b99285fa-c695-4d37-8f5e-3b04f9ef8d56_f.jpg)
Marine rocks from northern California; these rocks contain high levels of nitrogen.
Credit: Scott Morford
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