Question

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

Explanation:

Nitrogen atoms cycle between living organisms and the non - living environment. The Earth's core is mainly composed of iron and nickel, not nitrogen. Nitrogen in landfills is part of organic matter (which is part of the living - organism - related cycle when it was part of living things). And nitrogen is abundant in the universe (e.g., in stars, nebulae). So the non - living portion of the environment (like the atmosphere where nitrogen gas (\(N_2\)) is abundant) is the correct place.

Answer:

in the nonliving portion of the environment