Biogeochemical Biogeochemical
Cycles of MatterCycles of Matter
Biology IBiology I
Cycling maintains Cycling maintains homeostasishomeostasis
Matter in the form of Matter in the form of nutrientsnutrients, moves through , moves through the organisms at each trophic levelthe organisms at each trophic level
Matter cannot be Matter cannot be replenishedreplenished like energy from like energy from sunlightsunlight
Matter is constantly recycledMatter is constantly recycled
Cycles of MatterCycles of Matter
Biogeochemical cycles-the process by Biogeochemical cycles-the process by which abiotic materials move from the which abiotic materials move from the atmosphere or soil into organisms and atmosphere or soil into organisms and
back again.back again.
There are 4 types of CyclesThere are 4 types of Cycles::
►►WaterWater
►► Carbon/OxygenCarbon/Oxygen
►► Nitrogen Nitrogen
►►PhosphorousPhosphorous
Water is the most common Water is the most common compound in all living cells & compound in all living cells & necessary for lifenecessary for life
Most cycling occurs through the followingMost cycling occurs through the following
Transpiration-process where water leaves/enters the atmosphere by evaporating from leaves
Evaporation-process where water changes from liquid to gas form
Condensation-process where water vapors (gas) turns into liquid water
Precipitation-process where water vapor condenses, the drops of water fall to the earth (rain, sleet, hail, or snow)
Surface run off- when rain does not infiltrate into the soil it runs off the land back into rivers, lakes, oceans etc…..
Identify the following phases of the Identify the following phases of the water cycle.water cycle.
Water CycleWater Cycle
The elements Carbon & The elements Carbon & Oxygen are also Oxygen are also necessary for lifenecessary for life
Carbon is the building Carbon is the building blocks for all living thingsblocks for all living things
In the atmosphere carbon In the atmosphere carbon is in the form of gas COis in the form of gas CO22
Producers take in COProducers take in CO2 2 for for the process of the process of photosynthesis & release photosynthesis & release OO2 2 through cellular through cellular respiration.respiration.
Consumers release water Consumers release water and COand CO22 as waste as waste
Carbon exists as: deposits Carbon exists as: deposits of coal, petroleum, & of coal, petroleum, & natural gas derived from natural gas derived from once-living organismsonce-living organisms
Ex: humus Ex: humus ►decaying leaves & ►decaying leaves & materialmaterial
Large amounts of carbon Large amounts of carbon are in wood & is released are in wood & is released when burnedwhen burned
Identify the following parts Identify the following parts of the Carbon Cycleof the Carbon Cycle
Carbon CycleCarbon Cycle
The nitrogen cycle converts atmospheric nitrogen N2, into a form plants & animals can use
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere
Organisms can’t use nitrogen gas in the air
All organisms need Nitrogen to make proteins and nucleic acids
Nitrogen must first go Nitrogen must first go through the following steps:through the following steps:
1. 1. Nitrogen fixation- nitrogen fixing bacteria found on the roots of plants convert N2 into ammonia.
2. Ammonification-decomposers return N2 to the soil from remains of dead organisms & from animal and plant waste
3. Denitrification- anaerobic bacteria break down nitrates and release nitrogen gas back into the atmosphere