APES 1.4-1.7

Carbon cycle

Movement of carbon between sources and sinks

carbon sinks definition

a carbon reservoir that stores more carbon that it releases

carbon sinks examples

Ocean, plants, soil

carbon reservoir definition

processes that add carbon to the atmosphere

carbon reservoir examples

fossil fuel combustion, deforestation

Photosynthesis in carbon cycle

removes CO2 from atmosphere and convert + store it as glucose. Carbon sink.

Cellular respiration in the carbon cycle

the breakdown of glucose and release of energy; releases carbon dioxide into the environment

Direct exchange

CO2 moves directly between atmosphere and the ocean by dissolving into and out of ocean water at the surface

sedimentation in the carbon cycle

when marine organisms die, their bodies sink to ocean floor where they're broken down into sediments that contain carbon

burial in the carbon cycle

sediments are compressed into sedimentary rock or fossil fuels by pressure

Nitrogen cycle

The movement of nitrogen between sources and sinks/reservoirs

The main nitrogen reservoir/sink

atmosphere

Why organisms need nitrogen

DNA, amino acids to make proteins

nitrogen fixation

Process of converting nitrogen gas into ammonia

NH3

ammonia

NO3

Nitrate

bacterial fixation

certain bacteria that live in the soil, or in symbiotic relationship with plant root nodules convert N2 into ammonia (NH3)

synthetic fixation

humans combust FFs to convert N2 gas into nitrate

assimilation

plants and animals taking nitrogen and incorporating it into their body

ammonification

decomposers and soil bacteria convert organic waste into ammonia

nitrification

conversion of ammonia into nitrate and then nitrite by soil bacteria

denitrification

conversion of nitrate into nitrous oxide which returns to atmosphere

Ammonia volatilization

excess fertilizer use can lead to NH3 gas entering the atmosphere

Phosphorus cycle

movement of phosphorus between sources and reservoirs/sinks

Major reservoir of phosphorus

rocks and sediment

Why organisms need phosphorus

DNA, ATP (energy), bone and tooth enamel

Major natural source of phosphorus

weathering of rocks

Synthetic source of phosphorus

mining of phosphate minerals and adding to products like synthetic fertilizers

mini loop in carbon cycle

photosynthesis and cellular respiration

mini loop in phosphorus cycle

assimilation and excretion/decomposition

mini loop in nitrogen cycle

assimilation and ammonification

What causes geological uplift?

Tectonic plate collision forcing up rock layers that form mountains.

What is the role of weathering in the phosphorus cycle?

Weathering releases phosphate from rock.

the water cycle

movement of water in different states between sources and sinks

largest water reservoir

ocean

largest freshwater reservoirs

polar ice caps and groundwater

two main sources of water

surface water and ground water

transpiration

Evaporation of water from the leaves of a plant

process of transpiration

leaf opens in stomata open, allowing water to evaporate from the plant and creating low pressure in the leaf which draws water up from roots.

evapotranspiration

the amount of water that enters the atmosphere from transpiration and evaporation combined.

runoff

water that flows over the ground surface rather than soaking into the ground

infiltration

Downward movement of water through soil.