Chapter 3 Biogeochemical Cycles
Matter cycles through the biosphere Biosphere- The combination of all ecosystems on Earth. Biogeochemical cycles- The movement of matter within and between ecosystems involving biological, geologic and chemical processes.
Biogeochemical Cycles C H N O P S + Ca, Mg, K
Biogeochemical Cycles C - carbon H – hydrogen (builds water for solubility, provides the ability to transfer water) N - nitrogen O – oxygen (builds water, important in cellular respiration) P - phosphorus S - sulfur + Ca, Mg, K
The Hydrologic Cycle The movement of water through the biosphere. What is the driving “force”?
The Hydrologic Cycle Transpiration- The process where plants release water from their leaves into the atmosphere. Evapotranspiration- The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration. Runoff- When water moves across the land surface into streams and rivers, eventually reaching the ocean.
The Carbon Cycle
Why do we need: good at chemical bonding and building organic Where stored: mostly as gas in our atmosphere **ocean is known as a carbon sink **fossil fuels are also seen as sequestered carbon…why? Human impact: burning fossil fuels, deforestation, soil degradation
The Nitrogen Cycle
Fix NAAD ANPAN ProcessProduct Fix NitrogenAmmonia NitrificationNitrates AssimilationProteins AmmonificationAmmonia Denitrification Nitrogen
The Nitrogen Cycle Why do we need: building block of amino acids, builds proteins, part of DNA and RNA Where stored: mostly in the atmosphere, not usable until the N has been fixed Human impact: burning fossil fuels and adds NOx to our atmosphere, used as fertilizers, **we are adding N to nature at rate of 1.5 times faster than the natural rate
The Phosphorus Cycle
Why do we need: lipids, DNA, ATP Where stored: rocks (locked away), released within the rock cycle and travels through the water cycle Human impact: used as fertilizers and increases growth, used in animal feeds, used in detergents but banned in 1994(laundry soap) & 2010(dish detergents)
The Sulfur Cycle Why do we need: adds structure to proteins Where stored: rocks & volcanic eruptions Human impact: burning fossil fuels causes SOx pollution, released during mining of minerals
The Ca, Mg, K Cycle Why do we need: regulate cellular process, transmit signals Where stored: No gas component, dissolved in water, (K)can leach easily and slows growth of plants Human impact: