Cycles of Matter
Cycles of Matter Water Cycle Oxygen Cycle Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Phosphorus Cycle
Energy flows one way Matter is recycled within and between ecosystems
Biogeochemical Cycles Biological systems do not use up matter They transform it Nutrients: all the chemical substances required to live are recycled through biogeochemical cycles
Water Cycle All living things need water
Evaporation: liquid atmospheric gas
Transpiration: “evaporation” of water from plant leaves
Condensation: water vapor in the air is changed to “liquid” water (cloud formation)
Precipitation: water released from clouds (rain, sleet, hail, snow)
Oxygen Cycle
Oxygen Cycle
Oxygen Cycle
Carbon Cycle
Carbon Cycle Biological Processes Photosynthesis
Carbon Cycle Biological Processes Animal Respiration
Carbon Cycle Biological Processes Decomposition of Plants & Animals
Carbon Cycle Geochemical Processes Release of CO2 gas by volcanoes
Carbon Cycle Mixed Biogeochemical Fossil fuels (burial of Carbon rich remains & their conversion to coal & petroleum)
Carbon Cycle Human Activity Burning Fossil Fuels Deforestation
Carbon Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen is needed to make amino acids N2 = 78% of earth’s atmosphere
Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen Fixation Converts N2 NH3 (ammonia) (certain bacteria do this) Other bacteria (in soil or legume roots) convert NH3 (ammonia) into NO 3 - (nitrate ions) or NO2 – (nitrite ions)
Nitrogen Cycle Nitrogen is found in waste produced by many living things
Nitrogen Cycle Also found in dead/decaying matter
Nitrogen Cycle Found in fresh and salt water
Nitrogen Cycle Used in plant fertilizers
Nitrogen Cycle Decomposers break down decaying matter into ammonia (can be taken up by producers) Other soil bacteria convert nitrates into N2 gas in process called “denitrification”
Nitrogen Cycle
Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus: important part of DNA/RNA Uncommon in the biosphere
Phosphorus Cycle Found mostly in rock, soil, ocean sediments
Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus does not enter atmosphere
Phosphorus Cycle Phosphorus does not enter atmosphere
Phosphorus Cycle
Cycles of Matter Water Cycle Oxygen Cycle Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Phosphorus Cycle