BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES, THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT And Renewable vs Nonrenewable Resources

Biogeochemical Cycles Water Cycle (hydrological) – How water is transferred from the atmosphere to earth, through organisms and back to the atmosphere Carbon Cycle – How carbon dioxide and oxygen are cycled from the atmosphere through organisms and back to the atmosphere. Nitrogen Cycle – How organisms convert (fix) unusable nitrogen in the atmosphere to usable nitrogen to make proteins

Water Cycle TERMS – Precipitation – Transpiration – Evaporation – Infiltration(seepage) – Ground Water – Run Off – Condensation

Nitrogen Cycle 1. All organisms need Nitrogen to build proteins and for growth. Our atmosphere is made up of what % of Nitrogen? 2. 78% of the atmosphere is Nitrogen, but organisms cannot use it. The nitrogen needs to be changed (or “fixed”) into a useable form (ammonia) 3. Nitrogen fixing bacteria, on the roots of plants, (Legume or bean plants like peanuts, soy) change the nitrogen to a usable form (ammonia/nitrates) 4.Animals then eat the plants/plant eaters to get the needed nitrogen

NITROGEN CYCLE

Nitrogen Cycle Terms Decomposition – when dead organisms break down and release nitrogen into the soil Detritivores – organisms that break down dead material (earthworms, fungus) Nitrogen Fixation – when bacteria in soil changes nitrogen to a useable form Legumes – bean plants whose roots have nitrogen fixing bacteria Ammonia – a useable form of nitrogen

CARBON CYCLE

Carbon Cycle TERMS CARBON ‘SINKS’ (STORES Carbon) Or CARBON ‘SOURCES’ (ADDS Carbon to our atmosphere) ?? Respiration Photosynthesis… Combustion……… Decomposition…. Fossil Fuels………. SOURCE SINK SOURCE SOURCE when Burned, SINK when stored in the ground

CARBON CYCLE

THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT