BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLING EXAMPLES Unit 6.2

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLING EXAMPLES 1) Nutrient Pollution 2) Agricultural Importance 3) CZ Function and Dynamics

Nutrient Pollution Definition: is the process where too many nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus, are added to bodies of water and can act like fertilizer, causing excessive growth of algae. EPA claims that “nutrient pollution is one of America's most widespread, costly and challenging environmental problem.”

Nutrient Pollution Effects Environmental effects – Toxic Algae Blooms – Deadzones/Hypoxia Economic effects – Treating Impaired Drinking Water – Tourism Losses – Property Value Decreases Human health effects – Especially Impacts Elderly and Children – Impacts from Exposure to Toxic Algae

Nutrient Pollution Causes Wastewater – Sewer/septic systems Urban – Stormwater, Yard Fertilizers/Waste, Pet waste, and Phosphate Containing Detergents Agriculture – Soil, fertilizer, and manure runoff

Agricultural Importance Nutrient Management – Proper application and timing of fertilizer – Conservation tillage – Control livestock waste Soil Management – Install buffers – Plant cover crops

CZ Function and Dynamics Impacts of hydrology on a given area – Infiltration – Runoff Environmental impacts and physical characteristics impacting weathering of minerals and soils – Soil creation – Nutrient transformation