Let us assume that mankind genetically-engineered a microorganism which can photosynthesize using the following chemical reaction:

2N2 + 6H2O -> 4NH3 + 3O2.

Then, this microorganism is released into the Earth's oceans and after a period of time, it spread to the entire Earth.

  • How would the ecosphere/biosphere get affected?
  • How would the global climate & atmosphere get affected?
  • What would generally happen to the Earth?
  • After a long period of time, how would living things adapt to the changes?

closed as too broad by sphennings, Secespitus, L.Dutch, Amadeus, Ash Sep 12 '17 at 17:28


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    $\begingroup$ Welcome to worldbuilding @user42527! Please take the time to read the tour and the help center section. Currently your question is rather broad. We also try to limit ourselves to one question per post. If you edit your question to narrow it's scope it will be likely be better received by the community. $\endgroup$ – sphennings Sep 12 '17 at 14:51
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    $\begingroup$ This is too broad and contains 4 instead of 1 question. $\endgroup$ – Alex2006 Sep 12 '17 at 14:55
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    $\begingroup$ What does it do with the ammonia? How much does it produce how quickly? $\endgroup$ – Raditz_35 Sep 12 '17 at 14:57
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    $\begingroup$ In real biology nitrogen is fixed by diazotroph bacteria and archaea, such as Rhizobia; it's an energy-intensive process, so in real life the human-developed Haber process is used on a massive scale to supplement natural sources of ammonia. Basically, we are those organisms: we synthesize 100 million tons of ammonia per year to grow our crops. $\endgroup$ – AlexP Sep 12 '17 at 15:13
  • $\begingroup$ If the new organism will proliferate in alkaline environment, it can cause devastating effect on Earth's biosphere. Right now ammonia compounds are relatively scarce, and highly beneficial for plant development. However, overabundance will cause alkalinization and make environment inhospitable for traditional organisms. $\endgroup$ – Alexander Sep 12 '17 at 16:44