BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, & Sulfur Cycles

nitrogen fixation

Process in which bacteria convert nitrogen gas in the atmosphere into ammonia in the soil

nitrification

process by which certain bacteria convert ammonium into nitrates or nitrates which is the most desirable form for plants

denitrification

Process by which bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas which returns to the atmosphere

legumes

A group or bean-producing plants plants that have nitrogen-fixing bacteria living in nodules (knots) on their root

decomposers

organisms (bacteria & fungi) that break down wastes and dead organisms and return raw materials to the environment;

ammonia

The toxic breakdown product of amino acids (proteins) which is a colorless gas with a pungent odor composed of hydrogen and nitrogen.

lightning

a flash of electricity in the sky that can cause nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere to be converted to nitrites or nitrates that can be used by plants

nitrites & nitrates

Form of nitrogen that plants can use; these molecules formed from nitrogen and oxygen

phosphorus cycle

The movement of phosphorus atoms from rocks through the biosphere and hydrosphere and back to rocks. -- This cycle does not go through the atmosphere

sulfur cycle

The collection of processes by which sulfur moves to and from minerals; Cyclic movement of sulfur from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment

biogeochemical cycle

The cycling of chemical elements through the living (bio) and nonliving (geo) parts of an the biosphere; Cycles of Matter: carbon cycle, water cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, sulfur cycle, et.c

algae bloom

Rapid increase in the population of algae in an aquatic system due to pollution from fertilizer, especially nitrates or nitrites and phosphorus

nitrogen cycle

Movement of nitrogen among the atmosphere, soil, and water, and into and out of food webs;

nitrogen gas

N2, it makes up 78% of the atmosphere, but is unable to be used by plants in that form