APES Unit 1- Biogeochemical Cycles

biogeochemical cycle

the movements of matter within and between ecosystems

water cycle

Moves water through the biosphere

transpiration

the release of water from leaves during photosynthesis

evapotranspiration

The combined amount of evaporation and transpiration

runoff

water the moves across the land surface into water surface

carbon cycle

The movement of carbon around the biosphere

one of the six key elements that organisms need in relatively large amounts: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.

What is a macronutreient?

limiting nutrient

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

nitrogen cycle

The movement of nitrogen around the biosphere

nitrogen fixation

the process that converts nitrogen gas in the atmosphere into forms of nitrogen that producers can use.

nitrification

the conversion of ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate

assimilation

the process by which producers incorporate 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

denitrification

the conversion of nitrate in a series of steps into the gases nitrous oxide and, eventually, nitrogen gas, which is emitted into the atmosphere

leaching

the transportation of dissolved molecules through the soil via groundwater

phosphrous cycle

the movement of phosphorus around the biosphere

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 and other aquatic animals

sulfur cycle

the movement of sulfur around the biosphere

water cycle steps

evaporation, condensation, precipitation, run off, transpiration, respiration, infiltration

carbon cycle steps

photosynthesis, respiration, exchange, sedimentation and burial, extraction, and combustion

nitrogen cycle steps

nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation, ammonification, denitrification, mineralization, leaching

phosphorus cycle steps

geological uplift, phosphate mining, weathering, leaching, runoff

sulfur cycle steps

acid precipitation, runoff, weathering, sedimentaion, extraction and combustion