Biogeochemical Cycles

What is a biogeochemical cycle? - the movement of a particular form of matter through the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem

Matter changes form but is neither created nor destroyed.

It is used over and over again in a continuous cycle.

Carbon (C):major component of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, nucleic acids

Found in 1. Atmosphere 2. Minerals 3. Rocks 4. Fossil fuels (natural gas, petroleum, and

coal)5. Organic materials

The Carbon Cycle

Organisms play a major role in recycling C through:

1.Photosynthesis2.Respiration3.Decomposition4.Conversion of biochemical

compounds

The Carbon Cycle

Other methods of releasing stored C

•Combustion•Weathering of carbonate rocks

•Ex. Calcium carbonate-formed from bones and shells in sedimentary rock

The Carbon Cycle

Decaying organic material

Did you know?The total amount of carbon on

Earth is estimated to be 450 quadrillion kilograms.There is 50 times as much carbon dissolved in the ocean as exists in the atmosphere, but the majority of carbon is stored in Earth’s crust.

The Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen (N)• critical in making proteins and nucleic acids

• Found in:1. Atmosphere as N2 2. Living organisms 3. Organic materials in aquatic /soil

sediments

The Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen forms:

N2 = atmospheric nitrogen

NH3 = Ammonia

NH4+ = Ammonium

NO3- = Nitrates

3 types of bacterial action:

•Nitrogen fixing•Nitrifying•Denitrifying

Major processes: •Intake of nitrogen•Decomposition •Nitrogen Fixation•Denitrification

The Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen-Fixation•Bacteria: transforms N2 to a usable form

•Found in the soil and root nodules of plants (beans, peas, clover, and alfalfa)

The Nitrogen Cycle

Denitrification•Anaerobic bacteria break down NO3

- in soil • release N2 into atmosphere

The Nitrogen Cycle

Root nodules found on clover, caused by bacteria.

Alfalfa uses bacteria to help get nutrients.

The Nitrogen Cycle

•AKA: hydrologic cycle•Water: essential for all life processes•Found in

1. Atmosphere2. Earth’s surface3. Underground4. Living organisms

The Water Cycle

Major processes: •Intake of water•Transpiration

•plants releasing water back into the atmosphere

•Respiration•Food used for energy •H2O produced as a by-product

•Elimination

The Water Cycle

What to include in your concept map…

1.The subject (what is the topic of the entire map?) BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

2.Name of element (C, N, H2O)

3.Where element is found

4.Processes involved with each cycle

5.Small description of processes

KeyTitle of concept map: All CAPS (Can be at top of page, middle, etc…/Depends on how you would like to design the page)

Element NameElement’s location (s)

Brief description of process (including

organisms that may be involved)

dProcess

Word Bank (C)Carbon CycleAtmosphere MineralsRocks Fossil fuels (natural gas, petroleum, coal)Organic materialsPhotosynthesisRespirationDecompositionConversion of biochemical compoundsCombustionWeathering of carbonate rocks

Word Bank (N)Nitrogen CycleAtmosphere as N2

Living organismsOrganic materialsNitrogen-fixationDenitrificationDecompositionIntake of N

Word Bank (H2O)Water CycleAtmosphereEarth’s surfaceUndergroundLiving organismsIntake of WaterTranspirationRespirationElimination

Word Bank

(H2O)Water CycleAtmosphereEarth’s surfaceUndergroundLiving organismsIntake of WaterTranspirationRespirationElimination

Word Bank (N)Nitrogen CycleAtmosphere as N2

Living organismsOrganic materialsNitrogen- fixationDenitrificationDecompositionIntake of N

Word Bank (C)

Carbon CycleAtmosphere MineralsRocks Fossil fuels (natural gas, petroleum, coal)Organic materialsPhotosynthesisRespirationDecompositionConversion of biochemical compoundsCombustionWeathering of carbonate rocks