Element Cycles and Environmental Microbiology

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to element cycles and environmental microbiology for review.

Carbon Cycle

A biogeochemical cycle involving the transformation and movement of carbon among biotic and abiotic components of the environment.

Hydrologic Cycle

The cycle of water movement between the atmosphere and the biosphere, involving precipitation and evaporation.

Nitrogen Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle that describes the transformation of nitrogen and its compounds in the environment.

Biogeochemistry

The study of the chemical, physical, geological, and biological processes and reactions that govern the composition of the natural environment.

Abiotic

Non-living chemical and physical factors in the environment, such as air, water, and minerals.

Biotic

Living components of an ecosystem, including animals, plants, and microorganisms.

Redox Reactions

Chemical reactions in which the oxidation states of atoms are changed, involving the transfer of electrons.

Reservoir

A part of the biosphere that contains significant amounts of a chemical element, acting as both a source and a sink.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the aid of chlorophyll.

Phototrophs

Organisms that obtain energy from light to produce organic compounds.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that obtain organic food molecules by consuming other organisms or their byproducts.

CO2

Carbon dioxide, a colorless gas produced by respiration and combustion, playing a key role in the carbon cycle.

Acidification

The process by which oceans become more acidic due to increased levels of atmospheric CO2.

Biological Carbon Pump

The process by which carbon dioxide is absorbed by the ocean and converted into organic matter, driven by photosynthesis.

Nitrification

The biological process that converts ammonia (NH4+) to nitrite (NO2-) and then to nitrate (NO3-), primarily conducted by bacteria.

Denitrification

The reduction of nitrates back into nitrogen gas (N2), completing the nitrogen cycle.

Eutrophication

A process where water bodies become overly enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive plant growth and oxygen depletion.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

A measure of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter in water.

Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZ)

Hypoxic regions in the ocean with very low levels of dissolved oxygen, often resulting from nutrient overloads.

Methanogenesis

A form of anaerobic respiration that produces methane as a metabolic byproduct.

Wastewater Treatment

The process of removing contaminants from wastewater to make it safe for discharge back into the environment.

Bioremediation

The use of microbial metabolism to remove pollutants from the environment.

Anammox

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation, a biological process that converts ammonium and nitrite into nitrogen gas.

Astrobiology

The study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe, including life beyond Earth.

Siderophores

Small molecules that bind and transport iron in microorganisms, especially in environments where iron is scarce.

Phosphorus Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

Iron Cycle

The biogeochemical cycle involving the oxidation and reduction of iron among organisms, soils, and water.

Anthropogenic

Human-induced changes or impacts on the environment.

Oxidation State

The degree of oxidation of an atom in a compound, indicating its charge.

Glacial Ice Cores

Cylindrical samples taken from ice sheets, providing data about historical atmospheric gas levels.

Radiative Forcing

The difference between solar energy absorbed by the Earth and energy radiated back to space, affecting climate.

Climate Modeling

The use of numerical methods to simulate and predict climate change and its impacts.

Microbial Mat

A layered structure of microorganisms, often found in aquatic environments, that can carry out various biochemical processes.