2.3 The Cycling of Materials Meredith Meyer, Sarah Chandler, Shyanne Slimmer, Veronica Parado
Carbon Cycle (def.) the movement of carbon from the nonliving environment into living things and back Exists in air, water, organisms - photosynthesis - carbohydrates -cellular respiration Stored in limestone, fats, oils, soil -fossil fuels
Humans and the Carbon Cycle Burning of fossil fuels - carbon dioxide and global warming http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrIr3xDhQ0E
Nitrogen Cycle (def.) the process in which nitrogen circulates among the air, soil, water, plants, and animals in an ecosystem Build proteins in organisms 78% of gas in atmosphere Nitrogen fixation - bacteria (in roots of legumes) - usable form (ammonia) - excess nitrogen is released into soil
Nitrogen Cycle Returned through decomposition - majority returned to soil - small portion released into atmosphere
Phosphorus Cycle (def.) the cyclic movement of phosphorus in different chemical forms from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment Element that makes up cells of organisms - ATP - Digestion, soil, water
Phosphorus Cycle Erosion - into soil and water - into ocean - creates phosphate sediment
Fertilizers Contain nitrogen and phosphorus run-off - hypereutrophication
Acid Precipitation Result of burning of fossil fuels and release of nitric oxide - nitric oxide + oxygen + water vapor Nitric acid dissolves in rain or snow, causing acid precipitation