1.2: Biogeochemical Cycles

Pages 82-90: Nutrient Cycles- Water, Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus

Biogeochemical Cycles

The movement of matter between/within ecosystems

Hydrologic Cycle

The movement of water through the biosphere

Transpiration

The release of water from leaves during photosynthesis

Evapotranspiration

The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration

Runoff

water that moves across the land surface and into streams

The Carbon Cycle

The movement of carbon around the biosphere

Macronutrient

One of six key elements that organisms need in relatively large amounts: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur

Limiting Nutrients

A nutrient required for the growth of an organism, but available in a lower quantity than other nutrients

The Nitrogen Cycle

The movement of Nitrogen around the biosphere

Nitrogen Fixation

The process that converts nitrogen gas (N2) in the atmosphere into forms of nitrogen that producers can use

Nitrification

The conversion of Ammonia (NH4+) into Nitrite (NO2-), and then into Nitrate (NO3-)

Assimilation

The process by which producers in operate elements into their tissues`

Mineralization

The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic matter found in dead bodies and waste products, and convert it into inorganic compounds

Ammonification

The process by which fungal and bacterial decomposers break down the organic nitrogen found in dead bodies and waste products, and convert it into inorganic ammonium (NH4+)

Denitrification

The conversion of Nitrate (NO3-) in a series of steps into the gasses Nitrous Oxide (N2O) and Nitrogen Gas (N2), which get admitted into the atmosphere and closes the nitrogen cycle

Leaching

The transportation of dissolved molecules through the soil via groundwater

Algal Bloom

A rapid increase in the algal population of a waterway

Hypoxic

Low in oxygen

Dead Zone

When oxygen concentrations become so low that it kills fish + other aquatic animals