This graph simulates a real-world application of the nitrogen cycle by introducing human fixation into the system to show how industrial activities disrupt global ecological balances. The blue line rises because synthetic fertilizers and fossil fuels overload the soil with nitrogen, building up pollution faster than nature can naturally clean it. However, the blue line eventually flattens out at the end because the land begins dumping its excess nitrogen into the rivers, carrying it away just as fast as humans add it. This massive runoff causes the yellow line to spike aggressively as the pollution is transferred downstream. In the real world, this sudden aquatic buildup triggers marine eutrophication, where massive algae blooms choke out oxygen and create toxic dead zones. Ultimately, the model demonstrates that the land only stabilizes its own nitrogen levels by driving widespread ecological destruction directly into the ocean.

This is an element of Simulation with Insight Maker contributed by Edythe Thompson.

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First simulation for Systems Thinking course.