Biogeochemical Cycles

Oxygen Cycle Autotrophs: Release O2 into atmosphere via photosynthesis All life: Absorbs O2 to be used during cellular respiration Respiration: creates ATP energy for cells

Carbon Cycle CO2 CO2 Carbon = (organic molecules) carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids Plants & autotrophs: Intake: Absorb CO2 from atmosphere Create glucose & sugar via photosynthesis Output: Release CO2 during respiration

Carbon Cycle Consumers Intake: Carbon moves up the food chain as 1 feeds on another Output: Release CO2 during respiration

Carbon Cycle Decomposers Input: Feed on dead organic matter Output: Release CO2 during respiration Output: Organic molecules returned to soil during decomposition

Carbon Cycle Human Industry CO2 Human Industry Output: Release CO2 into atmosphere when fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) are burned

Nitrogen Cycle N = 78% atmosphere (most unusable) Soil Bacteria Ammonia Nitrates N = 78% atmosphere (most unusable) Soil Bacteria Nitrogen fixation: convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia Nitrification: ammonia converted into nitrates

Nitrogen Cycle Nitrates Plants Absorb nitrates through their roots

Nitrogen Cycle Animals Nitrates Animals Ingest nitrates through the food chain (plants eaten)

Nitrogen Cycle Decomposers Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia Decomposers Return ammonia to soil by feeding on dead matter

Nitrogen Cycle Lightning Energy breaks atmospheric nitrogen into Nitrogen oxide Nitrogen oxide falls in rain to soil

Phosphorus (P) Cycle No phosphorus in atmosphere Rocks P Phosphorus released by weathering of rocks

Phosphorus (P) Cycle P Plants Absorb P into their roots

Phosphorus (P) Cycle Animals P Ingest P when plants eaten P continues to move up food chain

Phosphorus (P) Cycle Decomposers P Breakdown dead matter and release P into soil

Phosphorus (P) Cycle Human Contribution Adding excess P from fertilizers…. P washes into lakes, etc… Excess P causes extreme algae growth