Biogeochemical Cycles Vocab

Transpiration

The movement of water into the atmosphere from plants

Condensation

Water changing from a gas to a liquid

Run-off

The horizontal movement of water across the ground

Precipitation

Water falling to the ground as rain, hail, sleet or snow

Infiltration

The soaking of water into the ground

Evaporation

Water changing from a liquid to a gas

Transpiration

Water being absorbed into plants

Cellular Respiration

The process of organisms processing food into energy, releasing carbon dioxide as a waste product

Fossil Fuels

After millions of years underground, the compounds that make up plankton and plants turn into these..

Photosynthesis

The process of organisms taking in carbon dioxide and producing carbohydrates

Decomposition

The process of organisms dying and breaking down their organic compounds releasing them into the soil and as carbon dioxide gas

Denitrification

The process of nitrites and nitrates being converted into nitrogen gas

Nitrogen Fixation

The process of nitrogen gas being converted into ammonia by bacteria in the soil or nodules of legumes, or by lightning

Ammonification

The process of dead organisms breaking down and releasing ammonia into the soil

Nitrification

The process of ammonia being converted into nitrates and nitrites

Assimilation

The process of plants taking in nitrogen in the form of nitrites, nitrates and ammonia