1. Biogeochemical Cycles
Mrs. Harlin

2. 2.1.1
Analyze the flow of energy and cycling of matter (water, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen) through ecosystems relating the significance of each to maintaining the health and sustainability of an ecosystem.

4. Importance of Carbon
Carbon is in all the organic molecules that your cells need including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
It provides a sources of energy for your cells.

5. Carbon Cycle
Photosynthesis by plants takes in CO2 and converts it to glucose. Glucose travels up the food chain through consumption.
Cell respiration is when organisms take in oxygen and release CO2 to make energy (breathing).
Decomposition of dead organisms by decomposers releases CO2..
Natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and fires release CO2.

6. Human Influence on the Carbon Cycle
Burning of fossil fuels releases an immense amount of CO2 which is leading to climate change.

8. Greenhouse Gases http://climate.nasa.gov/causes/

10. Human Influence on the Carbon Cycle
Man-made chemicals called CFC’s are destroying the ozone layer.
Allows harmful UV rays through that cause cancer.

12. Importance of Nitrogen
Nitrogen is an essential part of amino acids (which make up proteins) and DNA.

13. Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in roots and soil fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Decomposers such as microbes and fungi decompose organisms and urine.
Nitrogen is evaporated out of the soil, or assimilated by plants.
Animals consume nitrogen when they eat plants, or other animals that consume plants.

14. Human Influence on the Nitrogen Cycle
Raw sewage and urban runoff can accumulate and cause algae blooms. Algae causes a depletion of oxygen in the water causes organisms to die.
If the soil is saturated with nitrogen it becomes very acidic causing plants to die.
Burning fossils fuels and wood can cause acid rain which is also deadly.

17. Water Cycle Precipitation- rain, sleet, snow, hail
Heat causes precipitation to evaporate into the atmosphere and condense into clouds.
Transpiration is when plants lose water through photosynthesis.

18. Human Influence on Water Cycle
Acid Rain
Coal burning factories release sulfur dioxide which combines with water vapor to produce acid rain.
Alters pH of soil and aquatic ecosystems.

19. Climate Change

20. Video Clip

21. Energy Pyramid
Radiant energy from the sun is converted into chemical energy when producers (autotrophs) photosynthesize.
Energy is passed up the food chain through heterotrophs by consumption and decomposition.
Producers have the MOST available energy.
Energy decreases up the food chain by 90%. Energy is lost as heat and waste.

23. Pesticide Use
Pesticides are used to kill insects that are parasites to plants and animals.
This can be good, but it can also have negative effects on the environment.

24. Biomagnification Also known as bioaccumulation.
It is the increase in concentration of a substance, such as the pesticide DDT.

25. DDT: A Threat to America's Bald Eagles
Watch this video clip to see how bioaccumulation is harmful to organisms.