Biogeochemical Cycles

Biogeochemical Cycles

movement of matter within or between the ecosystem that are important in the cycling materials available to living organisms for their maintenance and survival; natural occurences that happen in our ecosystems.

Cycles

continuous processes that happen in our ecosystem.

Bio

cycles that involve life.

Geo

includes atmosphere, water, rocks, and soil

Atmosphere

works as an insulating blanket which keeps most of the heat from escaping at night & protect us from meteorites; without this, the earth would experience an intensely hot temperature during the day and an unbearably cold temperature at night like the moon.

Troposphere

the layer closest to Earth, where almost all weather occurs; the thinnest layer

tropos

comes from the greek word which means "to turn"

Stratosphere

The second-lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere which is 30km above; has very little vertical air movement and weather is not so changeable. Flying in this layer is generally smooth and the visibility is always excellent.

Ionosphere

air is very thin in this layer. It is very hot because the nitrogen and oxygen atoms absorbs unshielded energy from the sun.

Ions

atoms that can lose or gain electrons, these are produced by powerful cosmic rays, UV radiation from the sun. It acts like a mirror reflecting the radio waves back to earth.

Exosphere

highest layer of the atmosphere and is almost free of matter. It is the space that is now being investigated by scientists. Very hot with a temperature of approximately 4,500 degress Fahrenheit.

Nitrogen Fixation

Process of converting nitrogen air into ammonia.

Nitrification

ammonia is concentrated to nitrites by nitrifying bacteria in the soil.

Ammonification

Animal proteins are returned to the soil through excretions or by decay of their bodies after death will be broken down by decomposers releasing ammonia or ammonium.

Nitrogen Cycle

the series of processes by which nitrogen and its compounds are interconverted in the environment and in living organisms, including nitrogen fixation and decomposition.

Detrification

Unused nitrates by plants are converted by detrifying bacteria to nitrogen gas which is released to the atmosphere.

Carbon-Oxygen Cycle

the process by which carbon and oxygen cycle among plants, people and animals, and the environment

Carbon dioxide

A gas that is expelled from the body by the respiratory system; CO2.

Oxygen

gas that enters the blood through the lungs and travels to the heart to be pumped via arteries to all body cells

Photosynthesis

Plants use the sun's energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose.

Respiration

The process by which cells break down simple food molecules to release the energy they contain back to the atmosphere.

Decomposition

brings about the formation of fossil fuels that contain carbon.

Combustion

burning fuels or organic matter that releases carbon dioxide into atmosphere.

Water Cycle

The continuous process by which water moves from Earth's surface to the atmosphere and back; recycled continuously

Evaporation

when liquid water from oceans, lakes, or rivers changes into water vapor and rises into the air.

Transpiration

when plants release water vapor from their leaces into atmosphere.

Water Vapor

Invisible gas form of water found in the air.

Condensation

when water vapor cools and changes back into liquid droplets, forming clouds.

Cloud Formation

the gathering of tiny water droplets or ice crystals in the air after condensation.

Precipitation

Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface.

Runoff

water that flows over the ground surface rather than soaking into the ground

Infiltration

the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil

Groundwater

water that fills the cracks and spaces in underground soil and rock layers

Collection

process in the water cycle during which streams and rivers carry water back to the oceans

Phosphorus Cycle

The movement of phosphorus atoms from rocks through the biosphere and hydrosphere and back to rocks.

Weathering

The breaking down of rocks and other materials on the Earth's surface.

change in temperature, water, people, and burrowing animals.

Causes of weathering

Phosphorus

a nutrient important for DNA, cell membranes, and bones/teeth; released to the environment when dead plants and animals are decomposed.

Algal Bloom and Photosynthetic Bacteria

The rapid growth of a population of algae because of overabundance of phosphorus

Erosion

movement or transfer of weathered materials from one place to another.

Agents of Erosion

wind, water, ice, gravity

Sulfur

found in water, rocks, and soil; nutrient important for proteins, vitamins, and enzymes in living things.

Sulfur Cycle

The movement of sulfur around the biosphere

Acid Rain

When sulfur reacts with water, this is formed: H2SO4.

Acid Percipitation

Conversion of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides to acids that return to Earth as rain, snow, or fog; a great hazard to our ecosystem

Rocks

are naturally occurring mass of solid inorganic or organic materials that form a significant part of the earth's crust.

Petrology

scientific study of rocks

Igneous Rock

formed by the solidification of hot molten materials called magma.

Intrusive Rock

igneous rock that forms as magma cools underground; forms inside the earth.

Extrusive Rock

igneous rock that forms when volcanic material erupts lava, cools, and crystallizes on Earth's surface

Sedimentary Rock

formed by the slow but never ending process of weathering and erosion.

Metamorphic Rocks

are rocks that were originally either igneous or sedimentary.

Metamorphism

"change in form"

Rock Cycle

A series of processes on the surface and inside Earth that slowly changes rocks from one kind to another; formation of igneous rock from magma.