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