Part II: Water, Carbon, and Oxygen Cycles

KEY CONCEPT Matter cycles in and out of an ecosystem.

Elements essential for life cycle through ecosystems. A biogeochemical cycle is the movement of a particular chemical through the biological and geological parts of an ecosystem. Incl. Water, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, & Phosphorus

Water Cycle

Water cycles through the environment. The hydrologic, or water, cycle is the circular pathway of water on Earth. Organisms all have bodies made mostly of water. precipitation condensation transpiration evaporation water storage in ocean surface runoff lake groundwater seepage

Water (hydrologic) Cycle Plants absorb water from the soil Transpiration and respiration return water to the atmosphere Precipitation returns water to the soil Nonmetal oxides in the atmosphere combine with water to form acid rain

Parts of the water cycle Evaporation: water changes from liquid to vapor Transpiration: water evaporates from plants Condensation: water changes from vapor to liquid. Ex: clouds, fog Precipitation: water is released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail

Rain Shadow Effect Moist air reaches a mountain range. Increase in elevation causes condensation which leads to precipitation. Air is dry by the time it reaches the other side of the mountain. Results in deserts

The Carbon Cycle

Carbon is the building block of life. The carbon cycle moves carbon from the atmosphere, through the food web, and returns to the atmosphere. Carbon is emitted by the burning of fossil fuels. Some carbon is stored for long periods of time in areas called carbon sinks. fossil fuels photosynthesis carbon dioxide dissolved in water decomposition of organisms respiration carbon dioxide in air combustion

The Carbon Cycle Carbon is fixed by plants 6 CO2 + 6 H2O  C6H12O6 + 6 O2 Carbon is given off by consumers C6H12O6 + 6 O2  6 CO2 + 6 H2O Organisms containing carbon form fossil fuels Burning fossil fuels releases carbon 2 C8H18 + 25 O2  16 CO2 + 18 H2O

Carbon Cycle

Greenhouse Effect Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap solar radiation, this increases the Earth’s temperature. Gases include water vapor, methane, CO2, Aerosols (CFCs) May cause global warming

The Oxygen Cycle

Oxygen cycles indirectly through an ecosystem by the cycling of other nutrients. respiration carbon dioxide photosynthesis

The Oxygen Cycle Oxygen is produced by photosynthesis 6 CO2 + 6 H2O  C6H12O6 + 6 O2 The largest chemical process on earth! Oxygen is sequestered by respiration C6H12O6 + 6 O2  6 CO2 + 6 H2O

C6H12O6 + 6 O2  6 CO2 + 6 H2O 6 CO2 + 6 H2O  C6H12O6 + 6 O2

Biogeochemical Cycles Phosphorus cycle Nitrogen cycle Water cycle Carbon cycle Oxygen cycle Video if time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09_sWPxQymA