Biogeochemical Cycles Carbon and Nitrogen Carbon and Nitrogen

LIFE Living things contain matter in a highly organized, low-entropy state; they can capture, store, and transmit energy. Living things contain matter in a highly organized, low-entropy state; they can capture, store, and transmit energy. Organisms are also capable of reproduction and change through time. Organisms are also capable of reproduction and change through time.

The Biological Pump The biological pump is the process by which CO2 fixed in photosynthesis is transferred to the ocean interior resulting in a temporary or permanent storage of carbon. The biological pump is the process by which CO2 fixed in photosynthesis is transferred to the ocean interior resulting in a temporary or permanent storage of carbon. This biogeochemical process involving plants, the animals that consume them, and the bacteria that assimilate their waste plays a central role in the global carbon cycle. This biogeochemical process involving plants, the animals that consume them, and the bacteria that assimilate their waste plays a central role in the global carbon cycle.

Natural processes that recycle nutrients in various chemical forms from the nonliving environment to living organisms and then back to the nonliving environment Natural processes that recycle nutrients in various chemical forms from the nonliving environment to living organisms and then back to the nonliving environment Biogeochemical Cycles

Chemicals used by organisms Organisms use chemicals in their metabolism Organisms use chemicals in their metabolism Carbon Carbon Oxygen Oxygen Hydrogen Hydrogen Nitrogen (proteins, nucleic acids) Nitrogen (proteins, nucleic acids)

CARBON The basic building block of life The basic building block of life Carbon enters the atmosphere though; Carbon enters the atmosphere though; respiration respiration volcanic eruptions volcanic eruptions release from rocks deep in earth’s crust release from rocks deep in earth’s crust burning of fossil fuels burning of fossil fuels

Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by producers that use CO 2, sunlight and nutrients to make food through the process of photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere by producers that use CO 2, sunlight and nutrients to make food through the process of photosynthesis. Plants FIX carbon into usable forms (sugar) Plants FIX carbon into usable forms (sugar)Photosynthesis

CO 2 Phytoplankton Photosynthesis

Some CO 2 is then released back into the water through respiration as the plankton break down their food to release energy. Some CO 2 is then released back into the water through respiration as the plankton break down their food to release energy.Respiration

CO 2 Phytoplankton RespirationPhotosynthesis

Some of the carbon is passed on to primary consumers: zooplankton (animal plankton) and other filter feeders that depend on phytoplankton for their energy. Some of the carbon is passed on to primary consumers: zooplankton (animal plankton) and other filter feeders that depend on phytoplankton for their energy.Consumption

CO 2 Phytoplankton Zooplankton Consumption RespirationPhotosynthesis

Bacteria play a vital role in the biological pump by decomposing organic particles such as waste products and dead organisms that sink to the deep sea (Aerobic decomposition releases CO 2 ). Bacteria play a vital role in the biological pump by decomposing organic particles such as waste products and dead organisms that sink to the deep sea (Aerobic decomposition releases CO 2 ).Decomposition

Microbial Loop Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is used by bacteria Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is used by bacteria Bacteria is eaten by protozoan Bacteria is eaten by protozoan Protozoan are eaten by zooplankton Protozoan are eaten by zooplankton Zooplankton is eaten by fish Zooplankton is eaten by fish Fish excrete DOC Fish excrete DOC DOC is eaten by bacteria DOC is eaten by bacteria And so on… And so on…

CO 2 Phytoplankton Zooplankton Bacteria ConsumptionDecomposition RespirationPhotosynthesis

Consumption continues to transport carbon through higher trophic levels. Consumption continues to transport carbon through higher trophic levels. Higher Trophic Levels

CO 2 Phytoplankton Zooplankton Higher Level Consumers Bacteria Consumption Decomposition Respiration Photosynthesis

The process continues… The process continues… Higher Trophic Levels

CO 2 Phytoplankton Zooplankton Higher Level Consumers Bacteria Consumption Decomposition Respiration Photosynthesis

Nitrogen Critical component of proteins, chlorophyll and nucleic acids Critical component of proteins, chlorophyll and nucleic acids Found in the bodies of organisms in different forms… Found in the bodies of organisms in different forms…

Nitrogen input Nitrogen is added to the ocean by; Nitrogen is added to the ocean by; river runoff precipitation nitrogen-fixing organisms

Useable nitrogen 48% of dissolved gas in seawater is nitrogen 48% of dissolved gas in seawater is nitrogen Organisms can not use free nitrogen Organisms can not use free nitrogen Must be bound to oxygen or hydrogen Must be bound to oxygen or hydrogen Bacteria fix nitrogen (make it bigger) Bacteria fix nitrogen (make it bigger) Plant growth is limited because of the limited source of useable nitrogen Plant growth is limited because of the limited source of useable nitrogen

Nitrogen and animals As dissolved organic ions (waste): As dissolved organic ions (waste): ammonium NH 4 + ammonium NH 4 + nitrite NO 2 - nitrite NO 2 - nitrate NO 3 - nitrate NO 3 -

Nitrogen and plants Small oceanic plants use mostly nitrate (fertilizer) Small oceanic plants use mostly nitrate (fertilizer) Fish eat the plants and excrete ammonia and urea. Fish eat the plants and excrete ammonia and urea. Mulm the technical term for what comes out of the vent Mulm the technical term for what comes out of the vent Then bacteria fixes the mulm into useable fertilizer for plants again Then bacteria fixes the mulm into useable fertilizer for plants again

In an aquarium Ammonia is in fish waste and is also released through gills when they absorb oxygen (breathe) Ammonia is in fish waste and is also released through gills when they absorb oxygen (breathe) Ammonia can be changed into a toxic form called Ammonium depending on pH levels, temperature, and salinity Ammonia can be changed into a toxic form called Ammonium depending on pH levels, temperature, and salinity High levels of ammonium can kill fish High levels of ammonium can kill fish

3 KINDS OF FILTRATION USED TO GET RID OF WASTE BIOLOGICAL: Bacteria ingest waste and convert it. CHEMICAL: O 3 binds to “junk” in the water and makes it easier to remove. Carbon also removes impurities from the water. PHYSICAL: Water flows through mechanical filter plates and the waste gets trapped.

Micron filter and cotton filter

Ozone generator and carbon filter

Nitrifying Bacteria Nitrobacter and nitrosomonas (the good kind of bacteria) Nitrobacter and nitrosomonas (the good kind of bacteria) Converts ammonia and nitrites into nitrates Converts ammonia and nitrites into nitrates Denitrifying bacteria turns nitrates back into nitrites and free ammonia Denitrifying bacteria turns nitrates back into nitrites and free ammonia This keeps the cycle going This keeps the cycle going

Nitrosomonas europaea

Where the bacteria lives On any clean, hard surface On any clean, hard surface Aerobic NEED oxygen Aerobic NEED oxygen Examples: Examples:gravelbioballs filter plates

Problems with Aquariums Temperature Temperature Bacteria populations Bacteria populations Parasites Parasites Stress Stress

Parasites Worms; Worms; Nematodes (round worms) Nematodes (round worms) Trematodes (hooks and suckers)

Nematodes found in gut (usually)

Trematodes found in gills or on outside of body.

Little parasites… Ciliated Protozoans; Ciliated Protozoans; Ichthyopthirius multifiliis (ICH) fresh Cryptocaryon (crypt) salt

ICH and CRYPT Appears as white spots anywhere on a fish Appears as white spots anywhere on a fish Fish will rub against rocks etc. because its itchy Fish will rub against rocks etc. because its itchy Very contagious Very contagious Spreads rapidly Spreads rapidly Is always present but will “take over” if a fish’s immune system is suppressed by; Is always present but will “take over” if a fish’s immune system is suppressed by; stress, sudden change in temp, etc. stress, sudden change in temp, etc.

Ichthyopthirius multifiliis (ICH)

Cryptocaryon (crypt)

Treatments (FYI) If you are treating Ich use a salt water bath If you are treating Ich use a salt water bath If you are treating crypt use a fresh water bath If you are treating crypt use a fresh water bath If your tank has NO invertebrates you can use a copper solution (but they can build a tolerance to this over time) If your tank has NO invertebrates you can use a copper solution (but they can build a tolerance to this over time)