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Biogeochemical Cycles

The document outlines various biogeochemical cycles, including the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycles, explaining how essential elements move between biotic and abiotic components of the environment. Each cycle is described in terms of its processes, importance to life, and the impact of human activity, particularly in the carbon cycle where increased CO2 levels contribute to global warming. The document emphasizes the interconnectedness of these cycles and their role in maintaining ecosystem balance.

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4 views

Biogeochemical Cycles

The document outlines various biogeochemical cycles, including the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycles, explaining how essential elements move between biotic and abiotic components of the environment. Each cycle is described in terms of its processes, importance to life, and the impact of human activity, particularly in the carbon cycle where increased CO2 levels contribute to global warming. The document emphasizes the interconnectedness of these cycles and their role in maintaining ecosystem balance.

Uploaded by

cocoonutree
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

• Carbon Cycle
The way in which an • Nitrogen Cycle
element or compound • Oxygen Cycle
moves from biotic to abiotic • Phosphorus Cycle
factors. • Hydrologic Cycle
• Sulfur Cycle
BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

• chemical elements are required by life


from the living and nonliving parts of
the environment.
• These elements cycle in either a gas
cycle or a sedimentary cycle
• gas cycle = atmosphere.
• Reservoirs: Atmosphere and the
ocean
• Sedimentary cycle = land to water
to sediment
CARBON CYCLE

• Carbon is virtually important molecule in the carbon cycle.


• Proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates and other
molecules essential to life contain carbon
• Present in the atmosphere as the gas carbon dioxide (CO2)
which makes up approximately 0.04% of the atmosphere.
• Also present in the ocean and freshwater as dissolved
carbon dioxide. Carbons are also present in rocks such as
limestone (CaCO3)
CARBON CYCLE

• Every year there is a measurable difference in the


concentration of atmospheric CO2 with changes in the
seasons.
• For example, in winter there is almost no photosynthesis
(higher CO2)
• During the growing season there is a measurable
difference in the concentration of atmospheric CO2 over
parts of each day.
CARBON CYCLE

• Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and traps heat in


the atmosphere.
• Without it and other greenhouse gases, earth would be a
frozen world.
• BUT humans have burning so much fuel that there is
about 30% more carbon dioxide in the air today.
• Causing global warming
CARBON CYCLE

DEFINITION
The global movement of carbon between the abiotic
environment, including the atmosphere and ocean and
organisms is known as the CARBON CYCLE.
CARBON CYCLE

What are the 2 main processes in


the carbon cycle?
CARBON CYCLE
CARBON IN ATMOSPHERE
Plants use
Decomposers break carbon to make
down dead things, food
releasing carbon to
atmosphere and soil

Fossil fuels are burned;


carbon is returned to Plants and
atmosphere animals die

Carbon slowly Animals eat


released from these Bodies not plants and take
substances returns decomposed – after in carbon
to atmosphere many years,
become part of oil
or coal deposits.
CARBON CYCLE
CARBON CYCLE
CARBON CYCLE

• Carbon (C) enters the biosphere during


photosynthesis:
CO2 + H2O ---> C6H12O6 + O2 + H2O
• Carbon is returned to the biosphere in cellular
respiration:
O2 +H2O + C6H12O6 ---> CO2 +H2O + energy
CARBON CYCLE
NITROGEN CYCLE

• Nitrogen, another essential element, must also be cycled.


• The atmosphere is about 78% nitrogen gas, N2. But most organisms
cannot use nitrogen gas.
• The nitrogen cycle is all about getting the nitrogen in the atmosphere
into forms that can be used by organisms.
Recall, Nitrogen is used for
• The amino acids of proteins.
• In the nitrogenous bases of DNA & RNA
NITROGEN CYCLE

DEFINITION
The nitrogen cycle is the process in which nitrogen
circulates among the air, soil, water, and organisms in
an ecosystem.

(see Nitrogen Cycle video)


NITROGEN CYCLE
NITROGEN CYCLE
NITROGEN CYCLE
HYDROLOGIC CYCLE

• Also called the water cycle


• The water cycle continuously moves water between
the atmosphere, the land, and the oceans.
• We see it first hand in several forms.
• Since it is a cycle, there is no starting point.
• (See hydrologic cycle video)
WATER CYCLE
HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
OXYGEN CYCLE

• Oxygen = one of the main components of the Earth’s


atmosphere, can always be found with other elements.
• O2 – oxygen molecule, O3 – ozone
• Needed for:
• Breathing
• Decomposition of organic waste
• Water can dissolve oxygen to support aquatic life
OXYGEN CYCLE

• Without oxygen at the bottom of the water body, anaerobic


bacteria produce acids. These acids not only increase
acidity but also cause a massive release of phosphorus
and nitrogen from the organic sediment and into the water
column.
• The same anaerobic bacteria put toxic gases in the water
including hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell), ammonia,
carbon dioxide and methane. All these gases are toxic to
fish, beneficial for bacteria and insects.
OXYGEN CYCLE

• Oxygen atoms present in the earth circulate through a


series of intricate processes
• Main process: Photosynthesis and Respiration
• (see video on Oxygen Cycle)
OXYGEN CYCLE
PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

• Phosphorus is often found in soil and rock as calcium


phosphate, which dissolves in water to form phosphate.
• The roots of plants absorb phosphate. Humans and
animals that eat the plants reuse the organic phosphorus.
• When the humans and animals die, phosphorus is returned
to the soil.
PHOSPHORUS CYCLE

DEFINITION
The phosphorus cycle is the movement of
phosphorus in different chemical forms from the
surroundings to organisms and then back to the
surroundings.
PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
• Like water, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen, phosphorus must be cycled
in order for an ecosystem to support life.
• Remember, phosphorus is an important element in ATP and DNA.
• Also known as the slowest biogeochemical cycle
• (see video on phosphorus cycle)
PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
• Component of DNA, RNA, ATP, proteins and enzymes
• Cycles in a sedimentary cycle
• A good example of how a mineral element becomes part of an
organism.
• The source of Phosphorus (P) is rock.
• Phosphorus is released into the cycle through erosion or
mining.
• Phosphorus is soluble in H2O as phosphate (PO4)
• Phosphorus is taken up by plant roots, then travels through food
chains.
• It is returned to sediment
PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
SULFUR CYCLE
• Component of protein
• Cycles in both a gas and sedimentary cycle
• The source of Sulfur is the lithosphere
SULFUR CYCLE
• Sulfur (S) enters the atmosphere as hydrogen
sulfide (H2S) during fossil fuel combustion, volcanic
eruptions, gas exchange at ocean surfaces, and
decomposition.
• SO2 and water vapor makes H2SO4 (a weak sulfuric acid),
which is then carried to Earth in rainfall.
• Sulfur in soluble form is taken up by plant roots and
incorporated into amino acids such as cysteine. It then
travels through the food chain and is eventually released
through decomposition.
• (See video on sulfur cycle)
SULFUR CYCLE

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