APES 1.4-1.7 Biogeochemical Cycles Vocab

Carbon Cycle

Movement of molecules that contain Carbon (CO2, glucose, CH4) between sources and sinks.)

Carbon Sink

A carbon reservoir that stores more carbon than it releases. Ex. Ocean (algae & sediments), plants, soil

Carbon Source

Processes that add Carbon to atmosphere. Ex. Fossil fuel (oil, fuel, natural gas, combustion), animal agriculture (cow burps & farts = CH4), deforestation, releases CO2 from trees

Photosynthesis

Removes CO2 from the atmosphere & converts it to glucose. Plants, algae, phytoplankton

Cellular Respiration

Done by plants & animals to release stored energy. Uses O2 to break glucose down & release energy. Releases CO2 into atmosphere.

Direct exchange

CO2 moves directly between atmosphere & the ocean by dissolving into & out of ocean water at the surface. Happens very quickly & in equal directions, balancing levels of CO2 between atmosphere & ocean.

Algae & Phytoplankton

Take CO2 out of the ocean & atmosphere

Coral reef and marine organisms with shells

Take CO2 out of the ocean to make calcium carbonate exoskeleton

Sedimentation

When marine organisms die, their bodies sink to ocean floor where they're broken down into sediments that contain C.

Burial

Slow, geological process that stores Carbon in underground sinks like sedimentary rock or fossil fuels. Over, long, periods of time, pressure of water compresses. Carbon-containing sediments on ocean floor into sedimentary stone (limestone, sandstone) - long term Carbon reservoir

Fossil Fuels (FF)

Coal, oil, and natural gas are formed from fossilized remains of organic matter. Ex. Dead ferns (coal) or marine algae & plankton (oil)

Extraction and combustion

Digging up or mining FFs & burning them as energy source; releases CO2 into atmosphere

Nitrogen Cycle

Movement of nitrogen containing molecules between sources & sinks/reservoirs. Sources release Nitrogen into atmosphere; sinks take nitrogen out of the atmosphere in increasing amounts. Nitrogen reservoirs hold N for relatively SHORT period of time compared to C cycle

Atmosphere

Main Nitrogen reservoir: Nitrogen in atmosphere exists mostly as N2 gas, not useable by plants or animals

Nitrogen

Critical plant & animal nutrient: All living things need Nitrogen for DNA & amino acids to make proteins

Nitrogen Fixation

Process of N2 gas being converted into biologically available (usable by plants) NH3 (ammonia) or NO3- (nitrate)

Bacterial fixation

Certain bacteria that live in the soil, or in symbiotic relationship with plant root nodules convert N2 into ammonia (NH3). Ex. Rhizobacteria live in root nodules of legumes & fix N for them in return for animo acids from the plant.

Synthetic fixation

Humans combust FFs to convert N2 gas into nitrate (NO3-). Nitrates are added to synthetic fertilizers like miracle grow & used in agriculture.

Assimiltation

Plants & animals taking Nitrogen in and incorporating it into their body

Ammonification

Soil bacteria, microbes & decomposers converting waste & dead biomass back into NH3 and returning it to soil

Nitrification

Conversion of NH4 into nitrite (NO2-) & then nitrate (NO3) by soil bacteria

Denitrification

Conversion of soil N (NO3) into nitrous oxide (N2O) gas which returns to atmosphere

Climate N20 (nitrous oxide)

Greenhouse gas which warm earth's climate. Produced by denitrification of nitrate in agricultural soils (especially when waterlogged/over watered)

Ammonia volatilization

Excess fertilizer use can lead to NH3 gas entering atmosphere.

NH3 gas in atmosphere = acid precipitation and respiratory irritation in humans and animals

Leaching and Eutrophication

Synthetic fertilizer use leads to nitrates (NO3) leaching, or being carried out of soil by water. Nitrates runoff into local waters, causing algae blooms that block sun & kill other aquatic plants.

Phosphorus Cycle

Movement of Phosphorus atoms and molecules between sinks/reservoirs. VERY slow compared to other cycles. Takes a long time for minerals to be weathered out of rocks & carried into soil/bodies of water. NO GAS PHASE of P (doesn't enter atmosphere) LIMITING FACTOR

Weathering of rocks

Major natural source of P. Wind & rain break down rock & phosphate (PO4^-3) is released and dissolved into water; rain water carries phosphate into nearby soils & bodies of water. So slow

Synthetic sources of P

Mining phosphate minerals & adding to products like synthetic fertilizers & detergents/ cleaners.

Assimilation and Excretion/decomposition

P is absorbed by plant roots & assimilated into tissues; animals assimilate P by eating plants or other animals.

Sedimentation and Geological uplift

Phosphate doesn't dissolve very well into water; much of it forms solid bits of phosphate that fall to the bottom as sediment (sedimentation). The process where phosphorus-rich sediments settle in water bodies, eventually forming rock that may be uplifted to the surface.

Geological Uplift = Tectonic plate collision forcing up rock layers that form mountains; cycle can start over again with weathering & release of phosphate from rock.

Eutrophication

TOO much N & P. B/c limiting nutrients in aquatic ecosystems, FUELS ALGAE GROWTH

Water Cycle

Movement of H20 (in different states) between sources & sinks. Energy from sun drives cycle.

Transpiration

Process plants use to draw groundwater from roots up to their leaves. Stomata open, water evaporating into atmosphere from leaf. 1 of the main sources of water.

Evapotranspiration

Amount of H20 that enters atmosphere from transpiration and evaporation combined.

Runoff and Infiltration

Precipitation recharges groundwater through infiltration but only if the ground is permeable (able to let water pass through). Runoff recharges surface waters, but can also carry pollutants into water sources.