Question

if an atom of nitrogen is not in a living organism, where is it?
thrown away in a landfill on the surface of the earth
in the nonliving portion of the environment
stored deep beneath the earths surface in its core
not in existence anywhere else in the universe

Explanation:

Nitrogen cycles between living organisms and the non - living environment (like air, soil, water). Landfills are part of the non - living environment but too specific. Earth's core doesn't have nitrogen in this context. Matter is conserved, so nitrogen exists elsewhere. So the correct option is the one about the non - living portion of the environment.

Answer:

B. in the nonliving portion of the environment (assuming the options are labeled A, B, C, D with this as option B; if labels differ, adjust the identifier but keep the text)