Cycles of Matter

Matter is recycled (it changes form, but never leaves) Energy is not recycled

Water Cycle (Hydrologic Cycle) A continuous process where water moves from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back again Changes its physical form - gas – liquid - solid

Processes Evaporation – liquid to gas Condensation – gas to liquid Precipitation – water vapor condenses and falls back to earth (rain, snow, sleet , hail, etc.) Transpiration – loss of water from leaves (liquid to gas) Percolation – water soaks into the ground

Water Cycle

Carbon Cycle Carbon An element found in all living things As it moves from primary producers to consumers and decomposers, carbon cycles between living and nonliving things in the environment

Carbon Cycle Plants absorb Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere and use it combined with water they get from the soil to make substances needed for growth. Photosynthesis uses the carbon dioxide to produce sugars Animals eat the plants and use the carbon to produce energy

Carbon cycle Animals return carbon dioxide into the air when they breathe (respire) and when they die since the carbon is returned to the soil during decomposition Decaying plants and animals are converted into fossil fuels such as coal and oil and return to the atmosphere during combustion As humans burn fossil fuels to release energy, dust particles and gases containing carbon are also released into the environment. This burning of fossil fuels is increasing the amount of CO2 released in the atmosphere.

Earth’s oceans contain more carbon than air does Carbon is dissolved in water Algae and bacteria are photosynthetic and use carbon dioxide to produce food Marine organisms release carbon dioxide during respiration Carbon dioxide is deposited on the floor when organisms die

Basic idea Rabbit gives off CO2, which is taken in by the plant. Rabbit eats food, breaks it down and releases CO2. Plant uses CO2 to make food. Plant gives off O2, which is taken in by the rabbit.

Respiration Photosynthesis

This happens on land and in the water. Algae and aquatic plants produce food underwater through photosynthesis. Phytoplankton makes the most available oxygen. They use CO2 dissolved in the water. Some oxygen is made in the atmosphere where sunlight breaks down water.

Most oxygen is stored in oxide minerals of the Earth’s crust and mantle, called the lithosphere, but is bound to rocks and unavailable for use. Oxygen is used by animals, plants, bacteria, fire, decomposition, and even rusting metal (oxidation).

Nitrogen Cycle Air is around 78 % nitrogen gas Nitrogen in the atmosphere cannot be used by most organisms

Importance of Nitrogen All plants and animals need nitrogen to make amino acids, proteins and DNA

Nitrogen Cycle Most plants and animals get nitrogen from soils or water in which they live Animals get nitrogen by eating plants When organisms die, their bodies decompose bringing the nitrogen into soil on land or into ocean water Bacteria alter the nitrogen into a form that plants are able to use A small amount of nitrogen is returned to the atmosphere by bacteria that can break down nitrogen compounds into nitrogen gas

Human Impact Nitrogen-rich fertilizers can add too much nitrogen in nearby water Livestock waste adds large amounts of nitrogen into soil and water Increased nitrate levels cause plants to grow too rapidly until they use up the supply and die

Nitrogen fixation Process by which bacteria convert gaseous nitrogen in a usable form (ammonia)

Nitrogen Cycle

Importance of Phosphorus ATP NADPH Backbone of Nucleic Acids Phosphorus Cycle Importance of Phosphorus ATP NADPH Backbone of Nucleic Acids

Phosphorus Cycle 1. Phosphorus accumulates in rocks and soil 2.Phosphate released by the weathering of rocks 3. plants and fungi take phosphate in roots 4.phosphorus moves through the food chain 5. returned to soil or water by decomposition Does not occur in atmosphere

Human Impact Mining and Agricultural Runoff also add to flow of phosphorus Excessive flow of phosphorus within an aquatic environment can lead to algae blooms Blooms crowd out other plant species and negatively impact wildlife populations

Phosphorus Cycle