Section 3 Cycling of Matter Chapter 2 Section 3 Cycling of Matter

Cycling of Matter Law of conservation of matter – Matter cannot be created or destroyed For this reason we need to cycle matter so it can me usable in the biosphere. These cycles are called biogeochemical processes Matter – is anything that takes up space and has mass (and provides nutrients

Water Cycle The water cycle is traced through: Surface water (lakes, streams, oceans, glaciers, ice caps, even puddles) Atmosphere (clouds, humidity) Underground (aquifers)

Water Cycle Evaporation – Condensation – Transpirations – Water constantly evaporates into the atmosphere from bodies of water, soil and organisms Condensation – Water vapor starts to cool in the atmosphere, which brings together water molecules into clouds Transpirations – Plants give of water as a byproduct of photosynthesis Precipitation – Once water condenses, it falls back to earth through rain, snow, sleet, hail.

Water Cycle

Carbon & Oxygen Cycle All living organisms are composed of molecules that contain Carbon. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats Oxygen is another important element in many of life's processes, such as: Respirations & photosynthesis

Carbon & Oxygen Cycle Photosynthesis – green plants convert CO2 (carbon dioxide) and H2O (water) into Carbohydrates. They also release O2 (breathable oxygen) back into the atmosphere. Cellular Respirations – is the process where O2 (breathable oxygen) is used by heterotrophs and CO2 (carbon dioxide) is recycled back into the atmosphere.

Carbon & Oxygen Cycle Fossil Fuels – is a form of trapped Carbon It can be trapped form really long periods of time. When dead organisms are buried, they convert to: Peat, Coal, Oil or gas deposits Limestone Rock – is also a form of trapped Carbon Weathering and erosion are processes that can release Carbon and Oxygen

Carbon & Oxygen Cycle

Carbon & Oxygen Cycle

Carbon & Oxygen Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen is an element found in all proteins. We have lots of Nitrogen in our atmosphere. However it is not usable in that form We need bacteria to capture it in its gas form These bacteria usually live in the water, soil or on the roots of plants The process of capturing and converting the Nitrogen to a usable form is called Nitrogen Fixation.

Nitrogen Cycle Once the Nitrogen Fixation process is complete: Producers (like plants) absorb the usable Nitrogen and convert it into Proteins. Animals then eat the plants or eat animals that ate the plants, and they are able to then reuse it to make it into other proteins.

Nitrogen Cycle When organisms die or produce waste: Nitrogen is returned to the soil A certain type of bacteria are needed called Nitrifying Bacteria These nitrifying bacteria convert the nitrogen back to a form that plants can use once again.

Nitrogen Cycle If Fixed (usable) Nitrogen is NOT used: It is converted back to nitrogen gas and released into the atmosphere This process is called Denitrification The bacteria that do this are called Denitrifying Bacteria

Nitrogen Cycle - general

Nitrogen Cycle - specific