Biogeochemical Cycles
3 Fundamental Laws of Nature Conservation of Matter 1st Law of Thermodynamics (Conservation of Energy) 2nd Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy)
Earth: Matter does not come and go Earth is a Closed System to Matter
Biogeochemical Cycles: Reservoirs & Pathways Atmosphere Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere
Some Major Cycles of Matter Water Cycle Rock Cycle Chemical Cycles Carbon Nitrogen Phosphorous Sulfur
Carbon Cycle Atmosphere Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere
Carbon Cycle: Reservoirs Atmosphere 1x (= 7.3x1017 grams carbon) Biosphere 3x 55x 35,000x Lithosphere Hydrosphere
Carbon Cycle Atmosphere Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere Respiration& Decay Photosynthesis Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere
Carbon Cycle Atmosphere Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere Respiration& Decay Photosynthesis Dissolution Weathering & Volcanism Exsolution Biosphere Burial & Lithification Lithosphere Photosynthesis Burial & Lithification Hydrosphere
Carbon Cycle Human Impacts Atmosphere Biosphere Net Effect: Deforestation: Decrease Photosynthesis Increase Respiration Atmosphere Burning fossil fuels: Increased combustion Biosphere Net Effect: Increase in Carbon in Atmosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide northern winter northern summer
Nitrogen Cycle Atmosphere Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere Denitification: bacteria Biosphere Nitrogen fixation: bacteria lightning Absorption Waste & Decomposition Erosion Lithosphere Hydrosphere
Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria in Root Nodules
Nitrogen Cycle Human Impacts Atmosphere Biosphere Net Effect: Increase in Nitrogen in water & soil Nitrogen fixation: industrial (fertilizer) combustion Increased Erosion Lithosphere Hydrosphere
Phosphorous Cycle Atmosphere Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere Never enters the atmosphere Atmosphere Biosphere Absorption Waste & Decomposition Weathering & Erosion Lithosphere Hydrosphere Absorption Sedimentation
Phosphorous Cycle Human Impacts Biosphere Net Effect: Increase in phosphorous in water & “algal blooms”; Depletion in soils Mining, use (fertilizer, detergent, etc.) & increased runoff Lithosphere Hydrosphere More Phos. for organisms
Eutrophication
Impact: Red Tide
Sulfur Cycle Atmosphere Biosphere Lithosphere Hydrosphere Bacteria Absorption Bacteria Release Biosphere Volcanoes & Weathering Absorption Precipitation Waste & Decomposition Weathering “Evaporation” Sedimentation Lithosphere Hydrosphere Absorption Deep Sea Vents
Sulfur Cycle Human Impacts Atmosphere Biosphere Net Effect: Increase in atmosphere (health effects) and acid rain Precipitation” Acid Rain Burning Fossil Fuels Lithosphere Hydrosphere
What is the ultimate interface of all 4 reservoirs for these cycles? Soil