earth cycles

fffooororrrr ssstttuuuudddyyyyy ) : )

carbon cycle key processes

photosynthesis,

cellular respiration

decomposition

fossilization

combustion

ocean uptake

nitrogen cycle

• Nitrogen fixation

• Nitrification

• Assimilation

• Ammonification

• Denitrification

photosynthesis

processes by which plants and algae turn carbon dioxide gas and water into glucose and oxygen

cellular respiration

processes by which organisms make energy by converting glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide and energy

decomposition

process by which decomposers break down dead organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide and organic compounds

fossilization

process where dead organisms can fossilize over thousands and millions of years to form fossil fuels

combustion

process of burning fossil fuels. releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

what are the four spheres?

lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere

what are the layers of the earths atmosphere?

the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.

(remember the acronym TSMTE)

nitrogen fixation

Converts atmospheric N₂ into NH₃ (done by nitrogen-fixing bacteria).

nitrification

The biological process where ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium (NH₄⁺) is converted into nitrites (NO₂⁻) and then into nitrates (NO₃⁻) by nitrifying bacteria.

assimilation

when plants and animals take up nitrogen from the environment and take it into their biological molecules (like proteins and DNA).

ammonification

Converts organic nitrogen (from dead organisms/waste) into NH₃/NH₄⁺ (done by decomposers).

denitrification

the process where nitrates (NO₃⁻) and nitrites (NO₂⁻) are converted back into nitrogen gas (N₂) or nitrous oxide (N₂O), which is released into the atmosphere

greenhouse gas effect

The greenhouse effect is the process through which heat is trapped near Earth's surface by substances known as 'greenhouse gases.’

• more heat escapes the earth

the enhanced greenhouse gas effect

A phenomenon where the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted into Earth’s atmosphere has skyrocketed since the Industrial revolution.

• less heat escapes the earth

the three gases in the atmosphere that trap heat are..

carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide

where is nitrous oxide produced?

• car exhausts

• the burning of forests

• the use of nitrogen fertilizers

where is carbon dioxide produced?

• through the combustion of fossil fuels

• the removal or disturbance of forests

where is methane produced?

• through the melting of permafrost releasing trapped methane

• from the breakdown of organic matter

which gas is responsible for holding the most amount of heat?

nitrous oxide

why has the increase of carbon dioxide raised so much concern?

because in the last 8000 years before the industrial revolution there was only an increase of 20ppm (parts per million), but now it has passed 400ppm and is rising at an unprecedented rate

what are solutions for mitigating/reducing the effects of human activites?

• decrease the emissions of fossil fuels

• protect and increase the amounts of major greenhouse sinks such as forests, oceans, and permafrost

• reduce food waste (as it releases methane)

• reduce livestock emissions by improving their diet or reducing the mass production of meat

• better wastewater treatment to reduce nutrient runoff

are greenhouse gases necessarily bad?

No, they are necessary for maintaining life as they warm up the planet. Greenhouse gases only become a problem once there’s too much of them.

threats to the ecosystem from greenhouse gases

Rising temperatures lead to

• coral bleaching, melting ice caps, and increased wildfires,

• ocean acidification

• weakened marine ecosystems.

Disrupted rainfall patterns

• causes droughts and floods, harming crops and freshwater supplies,

Rising sea levels

• threaten coastal habitats,

• biodiversity loss accelerates as species struggle to adapt.