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