global ssyetms

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assimilation

plants use nitrate from soil, animals eat plants, animal dies and decomposers convert this nitrogen into ammonium

nitrification

nitrifying bacteria converts ammonium into nitrates. only occurs in oxygen-rich environments

nitrogen cycle

process in which nitrogen is cycled throughout the lithosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere.

carbon cycle

process in which carbon is cycled throughout all 4 spheres to maintain a constant climate

nitrate ammonium organic nitrogen

usable forms of nitrogen

nitrogen fixation

bacteria transforms nitrogen gas into ammonium. occurs during high energy natural events.

ammonification

decomposers turn nitrogen left from decomposing animals into ammonium. this ammonium is later transformed into nitrate from plant consumption

denitrification

converts nitrates back into nitrogen gas, therefore returning nitrogen back into the atmosphere.

nitrogen

78% of our atmosphere

oxygen

21% of our atmosphere

greenhouse gases

1% of our atmosphere

lithosphere

earth sphere composed of rocks, tectonic plates, crust and upper mantle

hydrosphere

earth sphere composed of all water on earth

atmosphere

earth sphere composed of all gases above the earth’s surface that protects the earth from radiation

biosphere

earth sphere composed of all living organisms on earth

troposphere

where all weather occurs in the earth’s atmosphere

stratosphere

layer of the atmosphere in which protects us from uv rays (ozone layer)

mesosphere

layer in the atmosphere which defends us from meteoroids.

thermosphere

absorbs all of the sun’s radiation in which protects the earth. hottest layer of the atmosphere

photosynthesis

step in the carbon cycle. carbon is absorbed by plants and used as nutrients.

feeding

step in the carbon cycle. glucose in plants is consumed by animals and passed on.

decomposition

step in the carbon cycle. decomposers break down tissue of plants and animals to obtain carbon.

respiration

step in the carbon cycle. glucose obtained from plants is broken down into energy and carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

extraction

step in the carbon cycle. fossils are converted into fuel such as coal. coal and such is then extracted and carbon is obtained.

sedimentation

step in the carbon cycle. carbon dioxide present in the water and fossils sink to the ocean floor and form in sedimentary rocks.

pollution

carbon burned from fuel and released as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.