Nutrient recycling and human impact

Organic matter

It refers to the remains of dead living things or their by-products and wastes

Decomposition

It is the breakdown of the remains of dead animals and plants

Saprophytes

They are organisms that release enzyme onto organic matter for decomposition

Greenhouse effect

It is the natural process that warms the earth’s surface when gases reabsorb heat back into the atmosphere

Combustion

It is the burning of fuels releasing heat and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Carbon sinks

It is anything that absorbs more carbon than it releases

Nitrogen fixation

It is the process by which atmospheric nitrogen gas is converted into compounds of nitrogen such as nitrates, ammonia and ammonium

Nitrogen fixing bacteria

They convert nitrogen gas into nitrates

Assimilation

It is the use of nutrients in a living cell

Nitrification

It is the conversion of ammonia and nitrite compounds to nitrates by nitrifying bacteria in the soil

Denitrification

It is the conversion of nitrates to nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria in the soil

Pollution

It is any harmful addition to the environment

Pollutants

They are anything that cause pollution

Sources of pollution

Domestic, agricultural and industrial

Eutrophication

It is the addition of nutrients to a waterway which can often result in an algee bloom

Greenhouse gas

It is a gas such as carbon or methane that traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere contributing to the greenhouse effect and influencing global climate patterns

Invasive species

It is a non-native plant or animal that outcompetes native species

Conservation

It is the wise management of earth’s resources ecosystems and biodiversity