Element Cycles EQ: How can I explain the difference between nitrogen fixation and denitrification.

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES Matter within ecosystems is recycled. decomposers bacteria and fungi soil minerals and humus producers green algae water and salts consumers animals decay dieeaten die

All Cycles Are Related Carbon, Nitrogen, Sulfur, Phosphorusin Plants and Organisms N2N2 Fossil Fuel Combustio n H2OH2O CO 2 SO 2, NO 2 Phyto- plankton Zoo- plankton Ocean Sediment s Nutrient Recycling Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria Nitrates, Sulfates, Phosphates Phosphate Nitrite, Dead Organic Mattrer & Decomposers H2OH2O Urea Runoff Respiration Decomposition Transpiratio n

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES Water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen & other elements cycle from the abiotic to biotic & then back to the environment. biotic abiotic

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES  Water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen & other elements move through a regularly repeated sequence of events. H2OH2O C N O

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES Most element cycles have an atmospheric “bank” where the element is found in large amounts. atmosphere “bank”

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES Elements move from the “bank” into organisms. atmosphere “bank”

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES Organisms release elements in daily activities or after death. Give an example of an activity that releases elements. RIP atmosphere “bank”

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES Decomposers (or combustion or erosion) break down organic matter. What is a result of their actions? RIP atmosphere “bank”

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES Three example cycles: Water Carbon (carbon-oxygen) Nitrogen H2OH2O C N O

NITROGEN CYCLE 79% of the atmosphere is nitrogen gas but it is in a form most living things cannot use. N2 free nitrogen

NITROGEN CYCLE If we can’t take in free nitrogen, how do we acquire it so we can use it in our bodies? Why do we need nitrogen in our bodies?

NITROGEN CYCLE Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert NITROGEN into NITRATES. Plants absorb NITRATES. Animals eat plants. N 2 in air nitrogen-fixing bacteria NITRATES

NITROGEN CYCLE How does the nitrogen return to the atmosphere? Denitrifying bacteria convert the nitrates back into nitrogen. N 2 in air nitrogen-fixing bacteria NITRATES denitrifying bacteria

NITROGEN CYCLE Why do we need nitrogen? Nitrogen is an essential element for all proteins (amino acids) and nucleic acids.

NITROGEN CYCLE Can plants & animals use free nitrogen? In what form must N 2 be to be used by plants? What organisms can fix the N 2 into a usable form? N2 free nitrogen nitrates nitrogen-fixing bacteria

NITROGEN CYCLE Simplified Use the next diagram to help you define the relationship of the following terms to the nitrogen cycle. free N 2 bank nitrogen fixation nitrates organisms organic material denitrification

organisms NITROGEN CYCLE Simplified nitrogen-fixing bacteria denitrifying bacteria RIP Organic material Free N2 in Atmosphere NITRATES FREE N 2 “BANK” - Pure nitrogen “banked” in the atmosphere which is made up of 79% nitrogen. NITROGEN FIXATION - nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert free nitrogen into nitrate compounds NITRATES - the form of nitrogen that can be used by organisms ORGANISMS - Plants take in nitrates and use them in their tissues; animals eat the plants and get the nitrates from plant tissues ORGANIC MATERIAL - Dead organisms, animal waste and organic litter are decomposed by bacteria and other decomposers DENITRIFICATION - Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates from decomposition back into free nitrogen.

NITROGEN CYCLE nitrogen-fixing bacteria nitrates organic matter denitrifying bacteria gaseous losses (N 2, NO x ) lightning fixes N 2 into nitrates

CLOCK BUDDY TIME 3:00 CLOCK BUDDY Draw and explain the nitrogen cycle, highlighting nitrogen fixation and denitrification.

CARBON CYCLE Why is the Carbon Cycle often called the Carbon-Oxygen Cycle? respiration photosynthesis O2O2 CO 2

CARBON CYCLE The exchange of gases during photosynthesis and respiration is a major example of the living- nonliving cycle of carbon-oxygen. respiration photosynthesis O2O2 CO 2

CARBON CYCLE How does carbon enter the living part of the cycle? CO 2 + H 2 O ----> C 6 H 12 O 6 + O 2 CO 2 Using the process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS, plants use CO2 to make food

CARBON CYCLE Carbon is returned to the atmosphere environment by: (leave space to write the definition) cellular respiration erosion combustion decomposition

CARBON CYCLE Use the next diagram to help you define the relationship of the following terms to the carbon cycle. respiration photosynthesis decomposition combustion erosion

CARBON CYCLE limestone combustion soil erosion animal respiration plant respiration photosynthesis by plants photosynthesis by algae respiration by algae and aquatic animals litter fossil fuels coal, gas, petroleum CO2 in Atmosphere decomposition oceans, lakes RESPIRATION - CO2 is released back into the atmosphere when food (glucose) is broken down during respiration PHOTOSYNTHESIS - Plants use carbon dioxide to make food DECOMPOSITION - CO 2 is released back into the atmosphere as organic matter is broken down COMBUSTION - CO2 is released back into the atmosphere when organic material is burned EROSION - CO2 is released back into the atmosphere when erosion breaks down certain rock decomposition

carbon cycle animated TRY THIS! Write a descriptive summary of the events shown. WHITE DOTS - carbon dioxide released from combustion (forest fire, burning fossil fuels) or respiration (soil and plant & animal BLUE DOTS - water, note how they collide with the white dots to represent photosynthesis GREEN DOTS - carbon trapped in glucose from photosynthesis - note how green dots move through organisms then flash red to represent respiration RED DOTS - represents respiration or combustion - note the red flash of green dots into white dots at soil respiration and animal & plant respiration - and the red flash into white at forest fire & burning of fossil fuels

Nitrogen Cycle Find the brown dots entering plants and animals. In what form is the nitrogen? Find where the white dots change to brown. What organism can “fix” the N for use? (N-fixing bacteria)

TRY THIS! True or False: All bacteria are harmful. On your notebook paper explain the reasoning for you answer. Be sure to relate it to the nitrogen cycle.

Cycle Interrelationships Carbon, Nitrogen, Sulfur, Phosphorusin Plants and Organisms N2N2 Fossil Fuel Combustion H2OH2O CO 2 SO 2, NO 2 Phyto- plankton Zoo- plankton Ocean Sediments Nutrient Recycling Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria Nitrates, Sulfates, Phosphates Phosphate Nitrite, Dead Organic Mattrer & Decomposers H2OH2O Urea Runoff Respiration Decomposition Transpiration

NITROGEN CYCLE Nitrogen Cycle Animation itesize/biology/ecology/nitrogencycl erev1.shtml (scroll down to view) itesize/biology/ecology/nitrogencycl erev1.shtml itesize/flash/bi01013.swf (same graphic but alone on a page) itesize/flash/bi01013.swf

Works Cited “Transpiration”. No date. Online Image. Department of Energy. June 6, “Stomates”. No date. Online Image. Department of Energy. June 6, aOscillate/body_caoscillate.html aOscillate/body_caoscillate.html “Animated Water Cycle”. No date. Online Image. Environmental Protection Agency. June 6,

Works Cited “Animated Carbon Cycle”. No date. Online Image. National Park Service. June 6, ycle.htm ycle.htm “Animated Nitrogen Cycle”. No date. Online Image. National Park Service. June 6, ycle.htm ycle.htm