Biogeochemical Cycles Cycling of Matter in Ecological Systems

Cycles of Matter Unlike the one-way flow of energy, matter is ______________

Cycles of Matter Unlike the one-way flow of energy, matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.

Cycles of Matter Biogeochemical cycles –

Cycles of Matter Biogeochemical cycles – Process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another

Cycles of Matter Biogeochemical cycles – Biological Geological Chemical Cycles are all connected

Water Cycle involves the processes of photosynthesis, evaporation, transpiration, condensation, respiration, and excretion

1.Photosynthesis – the process of plants (and algae) converting the sun’s energy into food CO 2 + H 2 O  C 6 H 12 O 6 + O 2 2.Evaporation – The changing of liquid “water” into the gaseous form 3.Transpiration – Is the evaporation of water from a plant leaf

4.Condensation – The changing of gaseous “water” to a liquid form. 5.Respiration – Plants using oxygen and converting their food into energy they use. 1.C 6 H 12 O 6 + O 2  CO 2 + H 2 O + 6.Excretion – The removal of waste products (such as urine and sweat) from the body.

1.Water in the air falls to the Earth as rain or snow (Precipitation). 2.Some water runs off the land into rivers, ponds lakes, or oceans. 3.Water from rain may soak into the soil. 4.Some of this water is taken up by plants through their roots. Animals may drink some of the water on the ground. The rest flows into underground lakes and rivers.

5.Excess water passes out of plants through their leaves. Animals lose water through body openings or as wastes are removed. The water evaporates into the air. Water is present in the air as a gas. 6.Water from lakes, rivers, and oceans also evaporates into the air. · The Water Cycle (Video Clip)The Water Cycle

Carbon Cycle Carbon (C) is the basis of life on Earth. Scientists consider 99.9% of all organisms on the planet to be carbon based life. Those organisms need carbon to survive. Whether the carbon is in the form of a sugar or carbon dioxide gas, we all need it. · The Carbon Cycle--Recycling matter (Video Clip)The Carbon Cycle--Recycling matter

Carbon Cycle 1. Absorption of carbon by plants from atmosphere. 2. Movement of carbon from plants into the animal world. 3. Movement of carbon from living things to the atmosphere.

Carbon Cycle 4. Movement of carbon from living things to the land. 5. Movement of carbon from fossil fuels to the atmosphere. 6. Movement of carbon from the atmosphere to the oceans.

Carbon Cycle involves the processes of respiration and photosynthesis. In respiration, oxygen and glucose are combined releasing energy and producing water and carbon dioxide.

Carbon Cycle In photosynthesis water and carbon dioxide along with the energy from the sun are combined to produce glucose (containing energy) and oxygen. Each process compliments the other and the ecosystem maintains its balanced communities.

· The Carbon Cycle--Recycling matter (Video Clip)The Carbon Cycle--Recycling matter

The Nitrogen Cycle Organisms require nitrogen to produce amino acids.Organisms Nitrogen makes up 78% of the atmosphere, but most organisms can not use this form of nitrogen, and must have the fixed form. The nitrogen cycle produces the fixed form of nitrogen these organisms need.

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle Steps Step 1: A special type of bacteria called nitrogen fixing bacteria take in atmospheric nitrogen and produce ammonia (NH 3 ). ammonia Step 2: Other bacteria use this ammonia to produce nitrates and nitrites, which are nitrogen and oxygen containing compounds. 1. Nitrogen fixation 2. Nitrification

Nitrogen Cycle Steps Step 3: The nitrates and nitrites are used by plants to make amino acids which are then used to make plant proteins. Step 4: Plants are consumed by other organisms which use the plant amino acids to make their own. Assimilation

Nitrogen Cycle Steps denitrificationStep 5: Decomposers convert the nitrogen found in other organisms into ammonia and return it to the soil. A few of these type of bacteria return nitrogen to the atmosphere by a process called denitrification, however this amount is small.

University of Sydney Alafalfa (Medicago sativa) USDA - ARS Root nodules

The Phosphorous Cycle  essential but not found in atmosphere  important part of DNA, RNA, and ATP  Found in rock and soil  Plants get it from soil; animals get it from plants  Effects rapid growth.  Encourages blooming and root growth.

Steps of Phosphorus Cycle 1.Phosphates are removed by erosion 2.Phosphates enter the soil and water 3.Plants use them to make organic compounds. 4.Consumers eat plants and obtain phosphates 5.Organisms decompose and return phosphates to the soil

Nutrient Limitation Primary productivity – rate at which organic matter is created by producers.

Nutrient Limitation Limiting nutrient – single nutrient that either is scarce or cycles very slowly, limiting the growth of organisms in an ecosystem –Examples – farmers add fertilizers that contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to their crops In freshwater aquatic environment, phosphorus is usually the limiting nutrient

Nutrient limitation Algal bloom – immediate increase in the amount of algae and other producers that results from a large input of a limiting nutrient –Often results when runoff from heavily fertilized fields increases amount of limiting nutrient

Eutrophication - Algal Bloom

Algal Bloom