Biogeochemical Cycles

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chemistry :((

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43 Terms

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Carbon-Oxygen Cycle

The continuous exchange of carbon and oxygen from non-living environment and to the living.

<p>The continuous exchange of carbon and oxygen from non-living environment and to the living.</p>
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Aerobic Cellular Respiration

Organisms break down glucose for energy. Oxygen is the input, carbon dioxide output.

<p>Organisms break down glucose for energy. Oxygen is the input, carbon dioxide output.</p>
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Anaerobic Respiration

When oxygen is absent glucose breaks down with a catalyst releasing energy.

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Ocean Acidification

When atmospheric carbon reacts with water, forming carbonic acid in the ocean.

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How does carbonic acid affect the environment?

It can erode away skeletons and rocks in ecosystems.

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Carbon Sinks

Store carbon for a period of time.

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Examples of Carbon Sinks

Plants, animals, oceans.

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Cellular Respiration

Organisms combine food molecules and oxygen, gives off carbon dioxide. Basically plant breathing.

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Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water on and above the Earth’s surface powered by the sun.

<p>The continuous movement of water on and above the Earth’s surface powered by the sun.</p>
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Photosynthesis

Plants use the sun’s energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugars.

<p>Plants use the sun’s energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugars.</p>
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Stages of the Water Cycle

Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, transpiration, surface run-off.

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Evaporation

Liquid to gas, molecules rise into the air in the form of water vapour.

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Condensation

Gas to liquid, water cools and forms clouds.

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Precipitation

When cloud is fully condensed, water falls in the form of rain, sleet, snow etc.

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Infiltration

Water soaks into the ground collecting in layers of rock.

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Transpiration

Groundwater is absorbed by plant roots when water evaporates from plants, photosynthesis.

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Surface Run-off

Water that cannot soak into the ground, flows across land.

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Human Impacts on the Water Cycle

  • Deforestation: evaporation is disrupted, decreased precipitation, decreased respiration.
  • Enhanced Greenhouse Effects: Earth’s temperature rises and therefore so does the evaporation rate.
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Nitrogen Cycle

The process of how nitrogen changes forms as it is recycled through the biosphere.

<p>The process of how nitrogen changes forms as it is recycled through the biosphere.</p>
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Importance of Nitrogen in the Biosphere

It is crucial for forming proteins.

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Forms of Oxygen and where they’re found.

Inorganic: Nitrogen gas in the atmosphere. Organic: Wastes & living and dead organisms.

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Types of Proteins in the Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen fixing

Nitrifying

Denitrifying

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Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen Fixation

Nitrogen fixing bacteria take up atmospheric nitrogen, converting it to ammonia.

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Processes that Fix Nitrogen:

Nitrogen FixationLightning

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Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrification

Nitrifying bacteria converts ammonia to nitrite and nitrate ions.

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Nitrogen Cycle: Assimilation

Plants absorb ammonium, nitrate, and nitrites.

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Nitrogen Cycle: Ammonification

Decomposers return nitrogen to soil by converting compounds in dead organisms to ammonia.

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Nitrogen Cycle: Denitrification

Denitrifying bacteria converts nitrates and nitrites to nitrogen gas, releasing it into the atmosphere.

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How do animals receive nitrogen?

By feeding on plants that have nitrogen in their roots, they get their nitrogen. Then the food chain continues this process.

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Haber-Bosch Process

Synthetic fertilisers where atmospheric nitrogen reacts with hydrogen, turning it to ammonia.

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Effects of Nitrogen Fertiliser

Excessive nutrients in water, leading to excessive bacterial growth.

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Human Impacts on the Nitrogen Cycle

Burning fossil fuels, nitrogen fertilisers, agriculture.

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Eutrophication

Water become excessively enriched with minerals and nutrients.

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Algae Blooms

Algae colonies that grow out of control, producing toxic or harmful effects on living organisms.

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Phosphorus Cycle

The process of transformation and locations of phosphorus through the hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.

<p>The process of transformation and locations of phosphorus through the hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.</p>
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Importance of the Phosphorus in the Biosphere

Required for ATP energy, nucleic acids, cell membranes, and bones.

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What is Biogeochemical Cycle does not enter the Atmosphere?

Phosphorus cycle.

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Phosphorus Cycle: Weathering

Rocks release phosphate ions and minerals.

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Phosphorus Cycle: Assimilation

Plants take inorganic phosphate from soil for use.

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Phosphorus Cycle: Decomposition

Dead organisms wastes decompose and organic phosphate is returned to the soil.

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Phosphorus Cycle: Mineralisation

Organic forms of phosphate are given to plants via bacteria. This bacteria breaks down organic matter into inorganic phosphate.

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Phosphorus Cycle: Sedimentation

Phosphorus can form rocks and end up in sediments.

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Human Impact on the Phosphorus Cycle

Mining for phosphorus, relocating it. Altering the distribution of phosphorus.