Nutrient Cycles
Water Cycle
Circulate fresh water between the atmosphere and the earth Ensures that the supply of water is replenished
Basic steps of the water cycle 1. Precipitation falls into lakes, water, ocean and runoff 2. Sun provides energy to heat water up 3. EVAPORATION Water evaporates due to the heat (water vapor)
Basic steps of the water cycle 4. TRANSPORATION from plants send water vapor in the air 5. RESPIRATION from people and animals 6. The water vapor is then moved by wind and ocean currents
Basic steps of the water cycle 7. CONDENSATION Water cools to form clouds 8. Clouds become saturated with water vapor and become PRECIPTATION
Carbon Cycle
Cycling of carbon between carbon dioxide and organic molecules
Basic Steps of the Carbon Cycle 1.Plants use CO 2 and energy to perform photosynthesis 2.Animals eat plants and CO 2 pass through their tissues 3.Carbon returns to the earth through respiration, excretion or decomposition 4.Some carbon returns to the earth through the burning of fossil fuels – The fossil fuels come from organisms the did not decompose but are buried
Nitrogen Cycle Transforms nitrogen into ammonia, nitrite and finally nitrate so it can be used by organisms Changing of nitrogen between inorganic and organic states
Nitrogen Cycle
Increases the amount of usable nitrogen in soil – Important because plants use nitrate to synthesize nucleic acids and proteins Nitrogen fixation is occurring – The conversion of nitrogen gas into nitrate by several types of bacteria (NITROGEN FIXERS)
Steps of the Nitrogen Cycle 1.Nitrogen is converted into ammonia (NH3) by nitrogen fixers 2.The nitrogen fixers convert ammonia into nitrite (NO 2 ) 3.Nitrite is converted into nitrate (NO 3 ) 4.Organisms eat plants that have nitrate 5.Decomposers release ammonia as they break down plant and animal remains 6.Bacteria converts waste from organisms to nitrogen gas
Phosphorous Cycle
important in cycling of phosphorus because it only exists as part of an organism, dissolved in water or an element in a rock
Steps of the Phosphorous cycle 1.Phosphates (PO4) introduced into the soil from weathering, or breakdown of sedimentary rocks. 2.Plants & fungi absorb phosphate ions from the soil 3. Animals consume plants or fungi 4.Phosphorous returns to soil as waste or decomposed material.
Nutrient Cycle Page In the EOCT Workbook Page 82 (Textbook)