Cycles of Matter Matter moves in Biogeochemical cycles through living systems, the Earth, the atmosphere, and the oceans. These cycles connect biological, geological, and chemical processes. 3 Biogeochemical cycles are: water cycle carbon cycle nitrogen cycle

Water Cycle All living things require water to survive. Water is cycled between the ocean, the atmosphere and land. Evaporation- process in which water changes from a liquid to a gas. Transpiration- process in which water evaporates from the leaves of plants. Cycle – Evaporation/Transpiration – Condensation – Precipitation- Runoff (to rivers,streams, lakes, or ocean) – Seepage into ground water- Root Uptake or to ocean. **Refer to diagram on page 75.

Carbon Cycle All living organisms need Nutrients to carry out essential life functions. Nutrients are chemical substances that are cycled within & between the ecosystems. Carbon – is the key ingredient of living tissue. **Refer to diagram on page 77.

4 types of processes that move carbon through its cycle: Biological processes – Photosynthesis, respiration, & decomposition. Ex. CO2 is taken in by plants during photosynthesis & it is given off by plants & animals during respiration. Geochemical processes – Erosion & Volcanic activity. Ex. CO2 is released into the atmosphere and oceans. Mixed biogeochemical – Burial and Decomposition of dead organisms. Under pressure they convert into fossil fuels & stored underground. Ex. Coal & petroleum Human Activities – Mining, cutting, & burning. Ex. Burning forests release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Nitrogen Cycle All organisms require nitrogen to make amino acids, which in turn are used to build proteins. Nitrogen Fixation – process by which bacteria convert nitrogen gas in the air to ammonia. Process – Bacteria in the soil turn the ammonia into nitrates and nitrites. Producers use the ammonia, nitrates and nitrites in the soil to make proteins. Consumers then eat the producers and reuse the nitrogen to make their own proteins. Denitrification – Dead organisms decompose returning nitrogen to the soil as ammonia. Process- Producers use the ammonia while bacteria converts nitrates into nitrogen gas which is released into the air. **Refer to the diagram on page 78.

Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus is not very common in the biosphere and it does not enter the atmosphere. It is found on land in rock / soil minerals and in ocean sediments. Phosphorus is essential to living organisms because it helps form molecules such as DNA and RNA

Primary Productivity- the rate at which organic matter is created by producers. *controlled by the amount of available nutrients. Limiting Nutrient – a single nutrient that is scarce or cycles slowly. * because of this, farmers apply fertilizers