APES Notes - Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus Cycle

Acids

Sour substances that dissolve metals, donate H+ ions, and have a pH less than 7.

Bases

Bitter substances that dissolve organic materials, donate OH- ions, and have a pH greater than 7.

pH Scale

A measure of acidity or alkalinity, with pH < 7 indicating acidity and pH > 7 indicating basicity.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Respiration

The process that uses glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy.

Fracking

A method for extracting natural gas and oil from deep rock formations.

Combustion

A chemical reaction that occurs when materials burn, producing energy and gases.

Fossil Fuels

Non-renewable energy sources formed from the remains of prehistoric organisms, primarily composed of carbon.

Extraction

The process of removing materials from the environment for human use.

CO2

Carbon Dioxide, a greenhouse gas produced by respiration and combustion.

CH4

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas released during fossil fuel extraction and decomposition.

Denitrification

The loss or removal of nitrogen or nitrogen compounds from the environment.

Nitrification

The process of converting ammonia into nitrate or nitrite compounds.

Nitrogen Fixation

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into nitrogen compounds usable by living organisms.

Ammonification

The process of converting natural nitrogen compounds into ammonia (NH3).

Assimilation

The incorporation of nitrate (NO3-) and ammonia into plants and animals.

Ammonium

The ion NH4+, a form of nitrogen available to plants.

Ammonia

The compound NH3, produced during ammonification.

Nitrate

The ion NO3-, a form of nitrogen that plants can absorb.

Nitrite

The ion NO2-, an intermediate in the nitrogen cycle.

Cultural Eutrophication

The process where excess nutrients from fertilizers lead to algal blooms and hypoxic zones in water bodies.

Dead Zones

Areas in aquatic environments with low oxygen levels, often resulting from decomposition of dead algae.

Phosphorus Cycle

The movement of phosphorus through the environment, primarily through geological processes without atmospheric components.

PO4^3-

Phosphate, a key nutrient found in mountains and mined for fertilizers and detergents.

Limiting Factors

Environmental factors that restrict the growth of organisms in an ecosystem.

Common Limiting Factors (Land)

Precipitation and nutrients that affect plant growth.

Common Limiting Factors (Water)

Temperature, sunlight, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and salinity that affect aquatic life.

Aquatic Limiting Nutrient

Phosphorus, which often limits growth in water systems.

Terrestrial Limiting Nutrient

Nitrogen, which often limits growth in land ecosystems.