BIOGEOCHEMICAL

CYCLE

Introduction

What is a biogeochemical cycle?

The cycling of chemical elements required by life between living and non-living part of environment is called biogeochemical cycle.

The examples of elements are; Carbon Nitrogen Oxygen Phosphorus Sulfur Water

o All these elements are macro-elements.o Other chemical elements in the cycle which are

formed as intermediates can be micro-elements.

These elements are cycled through;

Gas cycle• Carbon• Nitrogen • Oxygen

Sediment cycle • Phosphorus

Sediment+ Gas cycle•Sulfur•Water

BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLE

BIOLOGICAL

GEOLOGICAL

CHEMICAL

The duration of cycle depends upon; Chemical reactivity of the substance Chemical state of substance

Important biogeochemical cycles are; Carbon cycle Nitrogen cycle Oxygen cycle Phosphorus cycle Sulfur cycle Water cycle

We need biogeochemical cycles

Storage of key elements Transport of key elements To make the key elements available for

organisms To balance the ecosystem Recycle the energy

Causes of disturbance of biogeochemical cycles Human activities:o Burning of coalo Pollutiono Deforestationo Vegetation defoliationo Wastage of non-renewable sources Depletion of natural sources Global warming

The need of the hour is that we must try to reduce the harmful activities to protect the LIFE..