Cycles of matter
How much do you know? How much do you know about biogeochemical cycles and the impact that humans have on these cycles? Can you provide any examples of human activities that result in the alteration of the water or nutrient cycles?
What types of processes are occurring in each of these pictures What types of processes are occurring in each of these pictures? Which are natural? Which are man-made?
Recycling in the biosphere Matter is recycled within & between ecosystems Biological systems don’t use up matter, they transform it
The Water Cycle All living things require water to survive Where does water come from? -Moves between ocean, atmosphere, & land
Evaporation -Water changes from liquid to gas Transpiration -Water evaporates from the leaves into the atmosphere. Condensation - Water vapor (gas) turns into liquid water forming clouds. Precipitation -Water droplets become large enough to fall to Earth -Rain, snow, sleet, or hail Surface Runoff - Rain, snow, that flows into streams, rivers, or canals.
Water Cycle Condensation Precipitation Evaporation Transpiration Run off Seepage Root uptake
Nutrient cycle Nutrients- all chemical substances that an organism needs to sustain life Every organism needs nutrient to build tissues and carry out essential life functions AKA Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus cycles
Carbon Cycle Carbon is a key ingredient of living tissue CO2 (Carbon dioxide) Given off by plants & animals during respiration Makes up atmosphere Released into atmosphere by volcanic activity, burning fossil fuels and vegetation Decomposition of organic matter Taken in by plants in photosynthesis
More info 4 main processes move Carbon through the cycle 1. Biological- photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition 2. Geochemical – Erosion & volcanic activity 3. Mixed biogeochemical- burial & decompostion 4. Human Activities-mining, cutting & burning forest, burning fossil fuels
CO2 in atmosphere Carbon Cycle CO2 in ocean
Increased CO2 & the Greenhouse Effect http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview-interactive.html
Nitrogen cycle All organisms require Nitrogen to make amino acids (which are used to make proteins) N2 makes up 78% of Earth’s atmosphere Humans add Nitrogen thru Nitrate (fertilizers) Found in waste – -Ammonia (NH3), nitrate ions (NO3-), & nitrite ions(NO2-)
More on Nitrogen Cycle Only certain types of bacteria can use nitrogen gas directly They are found in soil and on roots of plants called legumes (“magical fruit”) They convert it to ammonia through Nitrogen Fixation Other bacteria convert ammonia into nitrates & nitrites Producers use it to make proteins Consumers eat producers and reuse nitrogen to make proteins
DEATH!!! When organism die, decomposers return nitrogen to soil as ammonia Ammonia taken up by producers (again) Denitrification -other soil bacteria convert nitrates into nitrogen gas. Releases nitrogen into atmosphere.
Simplified Nitrogen Cycle Organic wastes(from plants and animals) add nitrogen to the soil. Bacteria in the soil convert the nitrogen into forms plants can use. Plants use nitrogen in the soil to grow, develop, and produce seeds. Plants are eaten by animals and people. The organic waste (which contains nitrogen) is returned to the soil again.