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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
