NOBLE RAWLS
BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
WHAT ARE BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES?
▸ Biogeochemical Cycles are a variety of cycles that move
elements and compounds through air, water, solids, and
living organisms. It plays a very important part on our
planet because with out it nothing could survive.
HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
▸ This cycle helps purify, collect, and distribute the earths fixed
water supply. The hydrologic cycle is very important because it
provides water to plants, animals, and humans. Also it key in
moving nutrients and pathogens in the ecosystem.
▸ The most water is found in the ocean; having 70% of the earth
covered by the sea.
▸ Human Impact: Fist humans drain and fill wetlands with farms
and urban development. Also humans withdraw water from
rivers, lakes and other water sources faster then it can be
replenished.
HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
▸ Process: The sun provides energy. From that heat comes
evaporation, then from the vapor it turns into droplets in
the clouds. Gravity then makes it rain, snow, or sleet.
CARBON CYCLE
▸ This cycle is a binding block for carbohydrates, fats,
proteins, and DNA. There are different compounds of
carbons that circulate through the biosphere, atmosphere,
and parts of the geosphere and hydrosphere. The carbon
really important because that is what we are made out of.
▸ The largest amount of carbon is found in Terrestrial Rocks.
▸ Humans are altering the Carbon Cycle by adding very
large amounts of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
CARBON CYLE
▸ Process: Carbon diffuses between the atmosphere and the
ocean. Then the carbon enters marine food webs and
marine species carry out photosynthesis, then put into the
sea water when the carryout aerobic reparation.
NITROGEN CYCLE
▸ Nitrogen is a crucial component of proteins, many vitamins, and
DNA. It becomes usable by producers only in the form of
compounds such as ammonia and ammonium ions.
▸ The most Nitrogen is found in the atmosphere.
▸ Human Impact: Humans will burn gasoline and other fuels in
massive amounts, which can be converted into acid rain. and kill
lots of life in forest and lakes. Humans also hurt the ecosystem
by adding excess nitrates that contaminate bodies of water
through agricultural runoff of fertilizers, animal manure, and
discharges from municipal sewage treatment systems.
NITROGEN CYCLE
▸ Process: Nitrogen Fixation happens first. The Nitrification
happens next and that is when ammonia converts to
nitrate ions, therefor, the plant is able to take in nutrients.
Then comes Ammonification and after that comes
Denitrification.
PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
▸ Phosphorus is an element that is essential for living things
and provides energy for life processes. The phosphorus
cycle moves phosphorus through water, Earth’s crust, and
living organisms.
▸ Most commonly found in the environment as phosphates.
▸ Human Impact: Mining large amounts of phosphate hurts
the cycle. Also By clearing tropical forests, humans expose
the topsoil to greater erosion, which reduces phosphate
levels in the soil.
PHOSPHORUS CYCLE
▸ Process: Rain cause rocks to release phosphate ions and
phosphate is then distributed in soils and water. Plants
then consume the phosphate. Then animals consume the
plants. But when the animal dies it decays and phosphate
is returned to the soil.