Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and the Water Cycle Biogeochemical Cycle Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and the Water Cycle

A General Model of Chemical Cycling Gaseous carbon, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen occur in the atmosphere and cycle globally Less mobile element such as phosphorus cycle on a more local level A model of nutrient cycling includes main reservoirs of elements and processes that transfer elements between reservoirs All elements cycle between organic and inorganic reservoirs

Biological and geochemical processes move nutrients between organic and inorganic parts of the ecosystem Life depends on recycling chemical elements Nutrient circuits in ecosystems involve biotic and abiotic components and are often called biogeochemical cycles

Biogeochemical Cycles In studying cycling of water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, ecologists focus on four factors: 1. Each chemical’s biological importance 2. Forms in which each chemical is available or used by organisms 3. Major reservoirs for each chemical 4. Key processes driving movement of each chemical through its cycle Bozeman Lesson on Biogeochemical Cycles

Water Cycle Component of living substances like cytoplasm, plasma in blood, tears, sweat, saliva – a universal solvent Plays a role in biochemical reactions- hydrolysis, photosynthesis Used by organisms to regulate body temperature – evaporative cooling. Stabilizes air and water temperature – doesn’t allow for the temperature to change by absorbing or releasing energy

Hydrologic Cycle (Water Cycle) A colorful look at how water moves through the ecosystem Is this the only cycle that can exist in the ecosystem? No!

Which process is missing Which process is missing? Percolation occurs after precipitation and before storage during which water filters down through aerated soil due to gravity. What reservoir will hold this water? Aquifer

Use your finger to trace the many ways water can cycle through the ecosystem…Pick a reservoir and try to get back to it. Is this the only way? No

A Final Look…What do you think?

For your Interest Only… Bozeman Lesson on Water Sources For your Interest Only… What is desalinization? Why desalinate?

Carbon Cycle Essential element in living things for making proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids Component of the atmosphere (.03%) Component of sedimentary rock (CaCO3) also called limestone. Component of a buffer system in living organisms and bodies of water – maintains pH

What processes occur in the geosphere, biosphere and atmosphere? Carbon Cycle What processes occur in the geosphere, biosphere and atmosphere?

Rocks – Largest Reservoir of Carbon Limestone is calcium carbonate. It is also known as sedimentary rock. It is a carbon reservoir. When it dissolves it helps to maintain lake water pH by removing H+ ions. For your interest only… Flinn Lab Video The Limestone Cycle Rocks – Largest Reservoir of Carbon

Not on Quest #1 Ocean Acidification https://ww2.kqed.org/quest/2014/12/12/ ocean-acidification-and-marine-life/ Increasing hydrogen ion concentration means it will react with carbonate ion causing more bicarbonate ion. Less carbonate ion means less to react with calcium ion and no calcium carbonate for shells Not on Quest #1 Ocean Acidification

Can you find all the carbon compounds?

Can you explain what is happening??? As the amount of CO2 increases in the atmosphere, more can dissolve in the ocean and react to form carbonic acid. This decrease seawater pH as seen in the two graphs.

Use your finger to trace the many ways water can cycle through the ecosystem…Pick a reservoir and try to get back to it. Is this the only way? No

A Final Look….Where do you fit in?

Nitrogen Cycle

Phosphorus Cycle

Classify each process as biological, geological or chemical/physical… Combustion of fossil fuel Cloud formation – condensation Sedimentary rock formation Erosion of rock Volcanic explosion Lightning strikes Cellular respiration Photosynthesis Run off of water Classify each process as biological, geological or chemical/physical…

http://pubs. usgs. gov/fs/1995/fs216-95/ http://water. usgs http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1995/fs216-95/ http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/mercury/Merc uryFAQ.html#_Toc238984269 References

Mercury: A concern? Mercury and Acadia National Park Methylmercury DDT DDT in surface water may bind to sediments and last a long time at the bottom of water bodies. Aquatic animals, particularly fish that eat smaller organisms, can concentrate DDT and end up with DDT concentrations in their bodies that are much greater than those found in their environment.  The main source to most aquatic environments in the US is from atmospheric deposition (rain, snow, dry particles).  Some water bodies also receive mercury from direct discharge of industrial wastes, mining wastes, or naturally occurring mercury minerals. 

Can you begin to see how a Cycle can move Pollutants? Cycling of Mercury *The primary human-related sources include: coal combustion, chlorine alkali processing, waste incineration, and metal processing. Best estimates to date suggest that human activities have about doubled or tripled the amount of mercury in the atmosphere, and the atmospheric burden is increasing by about 1.5 percent per year. *Contaminated microorganisms are consumed by organisms higher in the food chain, or after dying, settle to the bottom of the lake and are incorporated into bottom sediments. Studies of sediment cores show that younger sediments deposited since industrialization have mercury concentrations that are about 3-5 times that of historical sediments. Thus, the fact that these sediments are primarily composed of dead microorganisms that were once the bottom of the food chain would suggest that modern levels of mercury in the food chain are elevated over preindustrial times. Can you begin to see how a Cycle can move Pollutants?