Biogeochemical Cycles 12/6/11
What are biogeochemical cycles? Biogeochemical cycles= complete path a chemical takes through the atmosphere, hydrosphere (water), lithosphere(earth’s crust and mantle) and biosphere (plants and animals) – Bio= life – Geo=earth – Chemicals= elements and compounds
What is the rock cycle? Sedimentary Igneous Metamorphic
What is the Hydrologic Cycle? The water Cycle – Precipitation – Evaporation – Transpiration – Condensation
What is carbon cycling? Food Chain Decomposition Carbon emissions
What is Nitrogen Cycling? Nitrogen fixation: N 2 NH 4 NO 2 NO 3 Factory emissions and Eutrophication
What is Phosphorus Cycling? Minerals/Soil Fertilizer run off, sewage
Do humans effect biogeochemical cycling? Humans are responsible for nearly half the fixed nitrogen that is deposited on land. Fossil Fuels release carbon emissions when burned greenhouse gases Sulfur, phosphorus and Nitrogen released through mining and deforestation
How are the Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Carbon cycles linked? Nitrogen is found in chlorophyll, phosphorus is taken up from soil into plants, which enter the food chain (carbon cycle).