Biogeochemical Cycles

What is a biogeochemical cycle? - the movement of a particular form of matter through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem Matter changes form but is neither created nor destroyed. It is used over and over again in a continuous cycle.

Carbon (C): major component of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, nucleic acids Found in 1.Atmosphere 2.Minerals 3.Rocks 4.Fossil fuels (natural gas, petroleum, and coal) 5.Organic materials The Carbon Cycle

Organisms play a major role in recycling C through: 1.Photosynthesis 2.Respiration 3.Decomposition 4.Conversion of biochemical compounds The Carbon Cycle

Other methods of releasing stored C Combustion Weathering of carbonate rocks Ex. Calcium carbonate-formed from bones and shells in sedimentary rock The Carbon Cycle

Decaying organic material

Did you know? The total amount of carbon on Earth is estimated to be 450 quadrillion kilograms. There is 50 times as much carbon dissolved in the ocean as exists in the atmosphere, but the majority of carbon is stored in Earth’s crust. The Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen (N) critical in making proteins and nucleic acids Found in: 1.Atmosphere as N 2 2.Living organisms 3.Organic materials in aquatic /soil sediments The Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen forms: N 2 = atmospheric nitrogen NH 3 = Ammonia NH 4 + = Ammonium NO 3 - = Nitrates 3 types of bacterial action: Nitrogen fixing Nitrifying Denitrifying

Major processes: Intake of nitrogen Decomposition Nitrogen Fixation Denitrification The Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen-Fixation Bacteria : transforms N 2 to a usable form Found in the soil and root nodules of plants (beans, peas, clover, and alfalfa) The Nitrogen Cycle

Denitrification Anaerobic bacteria break down NO 3 - in soil release N 2 into atmosphere The Nitrogen Cycle

Root nodules found on clover, caused by bacteria. Alfalfa uses bacteria to help get nutrients. The Nitrogen Cycle

AKA: hydrologic cycle Water: essential for all life processes Found in 1.Atmosphere 2.Earth’s surface 3.Underground 4.Living organisms The Water Cycle

Major processes: Intake of water Transpiration plants releasing water back into the atmosphere Respiration Food used for energy H 2 O produced as a by-product Elimination The Water Cycle

What to include in your concept map… 1.The subject (what is the topic of the entire map?) BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES 2.Name of element (C, N, H2O) 3.Where element is found 4.Processes involved with each cycle 5.Small description of processes

Key Title of concept map: All CAPS (Can be at top of page, middle, etc…/Depends on how you would like to design the page) Element Name Element’s location (s) Brief description of process (including organisms that may be involved) dProcess

Word Bank (C) Carbon Cycle Atmosphere Minerals Rocks Fossil fuels (natural gas, petroleum, coal) Organic materials Photosynthesis Respiration Decomposition Conversion of biochemical compounds Combustion Weathering of carbonate rocks

Word Bank (N) Nitrogen Cycle Atmosphere as N 2 Living organisms Organic materials Nitrogen-fixation Denitrification Decomposition Intake of N

Word Bank (H 2 O) Water Cycle Atmosphere Earth’s surface Underground Living organisms Intake of Water Transpiration Respiration Elimination

Word Bank (H 2 O) Water Cycle Atmosphere Earth’s surface Underground Living organisms Intake of Water Transpiration Respiration Elimination Word Bank (N) Nitrogen Cycle Atmosphere as N 2 Living organisms Organic materials Nitrogen- fixation Denitrification Decomposition Intake of N Word Bank (C) Carbon Cycle Atmosphere Minerals Rocks Fossil fuels (natural gas, petroleum, coal) Organic materials Photosynthesis Respiration Decomposition Conversion of biochemical compounds Combustion Weathering of carbonate rocks