Carbon CycleCarbon CycleChapter 5-Section 2: p. 132, also p. 125 & 128

Reservoirs of Reservoirs of CarbonCarbon

Forms of carbon stores or storage places

Reservoirs of CarbonReservoirs of Carbon

Where is carbon? Where is carbon? The major reservoir (storage) of carbon is carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere

Reservoirs of CarbonReservoirs of Carbon

Where is carbonWhere is carbon? Other ? Other reservoirs:reservoirs:Organic matter (makes up living things): proteins, fats, carbohydratesFossil fuels (buried remains of organisms)

Processes of Processes of CarbonCarbonHow carbon is transformed & cycled through an

ecosystem

Processes of CarbonProcesses of Carbon

Important processes that Important processes that cycle carbon cycle carbon intointo living living organisms:organisms:• Photosynthesis• Heterotrophy

(food chain)

Processes of CarbonProcesses of Carbon

PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesisAutotrophs use photosynthesis to convert light energy (sun) into chemical energy (sugar; glucose)

Processes of CarbonProcesses of Carbon

The Chemical Equation The Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis is…for Photosynthesis is…

6CO2 + 6H2O + light C6H12O6 + 6O2

Note: What molecules of carbon are shown above?

Don’t forget, autotrophs…Don’t forget, autotrophs…Include plants, algae, bacteriaContain chlorophyll (pigment to absorb light)

Are producersForm the base of ecological pyramids

Processes of CarbonProcesses of CarbonHeterotrophyHeterotrophyAs organisms consume food, energy travels from one organism to another

So does carbon, but it’s transformed (changes form) again

Heterotrophs have less energy available to them from autotrophs

Processes of CarbonProcesses of Carbon

Processes that cycle Processes that cycle carbon carbon out ofout of living living organisms:organisms:• Respiration• Burning fossil

fuels• Decay &

decomposition

Click here to view animation

Processes of CarbonProcesses of Carbon

Respiration (cellular)Respiration (cellular)Chemical reaction to break down carbohydrates

It’s how organisms get energy out of the sugars

ALL ORGANISMS RESPIRE!!! (plants too)

Processes of CarbonProcesses of Carbon

The Chemical Equation for Respiration is…

C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP (ATP is an energy molecule)

Note: What molecules of carbon are shown above?

Processes of CarbonProcesses of Carbon

Short-termShort-termPhotosynthesis & respiration

Long-term Long-term (always think the “rock (always think the “rock cycle”)cycle”)

Carbon found in bones and shells for limestone rocksDeposits of coal, oil and natural gas (fossil fuels)

Molecules of Molecules of CarbonCarbonForms of carbon (compounds, molecules, atoms)

Molecules of CarbonMolecules of Carbon

In the atmosphereIn the atmosphereCarbon dioxide (CO2)

In living thingsIn living thingsGlucose (C6H12O6) or sugar/carbohydrates, fats, proteins

UndergroundUndergroundRocks (limestone) and fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, natural gas

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen CycleChapter 5-Section 2: p. 134

Reservoirs of NitrogenReservoirs of Nitrogen

Where is nitrogen found?Where is nitrogen found?The major reservoir of nitrogen is the atmosphere as nitrogen gas (N2)

Reservoirs of NitrogenReservoirs of Nitrogen

Where is nitrogen found? Where is nitrogen found? Other reservoirs:Other reservoirs:In the ground as nitrates (fertilizers) In proteins that make up organisms

Processes of Processes of NitrogenNitrogen

How nitrogen is transformed & cycled through an ecosystem

Processes of NitrogenProcesses of Nitrogen

Important processes that Important processes that cycle nitrogen cycle nitrogen intointo living living organisms:organisms:Nitrogen fixationAbsorptionHeterotrophy (food chain)

Processes of NitrogenProcesses of Nitrogen

Nitrogen FixationNitrogen FixationBacteria that live on roots of legumes (bean plants like soybean or clover) convert atmospheric N2 to a “fixed” form that plants can absorbI.e. it makes fertilizer

Processes of NitrogenProcesses of Nitrogen

HeterotrophyHeterotrophyPlants absorb “fixed” nitrogen from the soil (fertilizer)As organisms consume food, nitrogen travels from one organism to another is used to make proteins

Processes of Processes of NitrogenNitrogen

Processes that cycle Processes that cycle nitrogen nitrogen out ofout of living living organisms:organisms:ExcretionDecompositionDenitrification

Click here to view animation

Processes of NitrogenProcesses of Nitrogen

ExcretionExcretionAnimals release nitrogenous wastes in the form of urine or dungAlso known as ‘ammonification’

Processes of NitrogenProcesses of Nitrogen

DecompositionDecompositionBacteria, insects, fungi break down wastes and decaying plants and animals Release Nitrogen back into the soil

Processes of NitrogenProcesses of Nitrogen

DenitrificationDenitrificationBacteria transform a small amount into nitrogen gas, which returns to the atmosphere

Processes of Processes of NitrogenNitrogen

Short-termShort-termFixation, absorption & decomposition

Molecules of Molecules of NitrogenNitrogen

Forms of nitrogen

Molecules of Molecules of NitrogenNitrogen

In the atmosphereIn the atmosphereNitrogen gas (N2)

In living thingsIn living thingsProteins

UndergroundUndergroundAmmonium nitrates (fertilizers)

Phosphorus CyclePhosphorus CycleChapter 5-Section 2: p. 135

Reservoirs of Reservoirs of PhosphorusPhosphorus

Forms of phorphorus stores or storage places

Reservoirs of Reservoirs of PhosphorusPhosphorus

Where is phosphorus Where is phosphorus found?found?The major reservoir of phosphorus is in salts & rock sedimentOther reservoirs include waterways (washed from eroded rocks and emptied in oceans)

Processes of Processes of PhosphorusPhosphorus

How phosphorus is transformed & cycled

Processes of PhosphorusProcesses of Phosphorus

How phosphorus cycles How phosphorus cycles intointo living organisms: living organisms:

• Erosion of rocks• Absorption• Heterotrophy (food chain)

Processes of PhosphorusProcesses of Phosphorus

ErosionErosionSmall amounts of phosphorus dissolve in soil and water

Processes of PhosphorusProcesses of Phosphorus

Heterotrophy Heterotrophy Plants absorb phosphates from the soil As organisms consume food, phosphorus travels from one organism to another and is used to make bones and teeth

Processes of PhosphorusProcesses of Phosphorus

How phosphorus cycles How phosphorus cycles out of out of living organisms:living organisms:

• Excretion• Decomposition

Click here to view animation (narrated choice available)

Processes of PhosphorusProcesses of Phosphorus

Short-termShort-termAbsorption & decomposition

Long-term Long-term (always think the “rock (always think the “rock cycle”)cycle”)

Phosphorus cycle mainly involves reserves underground and on the bottom of the ocean

Molecules of Molecules of PhosphorusPhosphorus

Forms of phosphorus (compounds, molecules, atoms)

Molecules of PhosphorusMolecules of Phosphorus

In living thingsIn living things Cells of living things, bones, teeth and

DNA

UndergroundUnderground Rocks (limestone) and ocean

sediment (phosphates)

Key Points

Carbon makes up the basis for all organic life

Most nitrogen is unusable in the atmosphere; we all depend on bacteria to “fix” it for us

Phosphorus does not cycle through the atmosphere

Long-term part of each cycle includes forming and eroding rock; whereas the short-term part of each cycle is the movement between living things

Humans AffectsHumans AffectsChapter 5-Section 2: p. 133, 136

How humans affect cyclesHow humans affect cycles

Carbon cycleCarbon cycleBy burning fossil fuels we release carbon into the atmosphere (about ½ remains in the atmosphere)Phophorus & Nitrogen cyclesPhophorus & Nitrogen cyclesExcessive amounts of fertilizer can cause too much algae growth, which use up oxygen Nitric oxides are released when fossils fuels are burned and mix with water vapor to form acid rain