Biogeochemical Cycles

what do biogeochemical cycles describe?

the flow of essential elements from the environment to living things and back to the environment

major cycles?

hydrologic cycle

carbon cycle

nitrogen cycle

phosphorus cycle

water cycle

consists of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection

reservoirs

major storage location

assimilation

processes through which each element incorporates into terrestrial plants and animals

release

the processes through which each element returns to the environment

evaporation

liquid to gas

condensation

gas to a liquid

precipitation

any form of water that falls from the sky

collection

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

reservoirs of the water cycle

oceans, air (water vapor), groundwater, glaciers

assimilation (water cycle)

plants absorb water from soil

animals drink water/eat other organisms

release (water cycle)

plants transpire

animals/plants decompose

carbon cycle

the movement of carbon from the nonliving environment into living things and back.

reservoirs (carbon cycle)

atmosphere (as carbon dioxide)

fossil fuels

peat

organic material (cellulose)

assimilation (carbon cycle)

plants use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis

animals eat plants/other animals

release (carbon cycle)

plants and animals- decomposition and respiration

nitrogen cycle

the cycle in which nitrogen gas is changed into forms of nitrogen that plants can use

reservoirs (nitrogen cycle)

nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia

soil

assimilation (nitrogen cycle)

plants absorb the nitrogen

includes nitrification and nitrogen fixation

nitrification

process by which certain bacteria convert ammonium to nitrates

nitrogen fixation

process by which certain bacteria convert nitrogen gas to ammonia

release (nitrogen cycle)

denitrificatiion

excretory systems

ammonification

denitrification

conversion of nitrates in the soil by bacteria into nitrogen gas

ammonification

decomposers covert organic waste into ammonia

phosphorus cycle

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

reservoir (phosphorus cycle)

rocks, ocean sediments

assimilation (phosphorus cycle)

plants absorb inorganic phosphorus

release (phosphorus cycle)

plants and animals release phosphorus when they decompose