1. BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

2. Ecosystem inputs nutrients cycle inputs energy nutrients
biosphere
energy flows through
constant input of energy
nutrients cycle
Matter cannot
be created or destroyed
Don’t forget the laws of Physics!
nutrients can only cycle
inputs
energy
nutrients 2

3. ENERGY & MATTER Energy is not the only thing
ENERGY & MATTER
Energy is not the only thing
that moves through the ecosystem.
Atoms are never destroyed only transformed.(recycled!)
Take a deep breath.
The atoms you just inhaled may have been inhaled by a dinosaur millions of years ago.

4. 4 ATOMS make up 95% of the body in most organisms
ORGANIC: contain
both C and H atoms
Ex. Sugars C6H12O6, fats, proteins, fuels C5H10
INORGANIC:
do not contain both C and H
Ex. CO2, H2O, NH3
OXYGEN
CARBON
HYDROGEN
NITROGEN
The same molecules are passed around
again and again within the biosphere in
___________________________
BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

5. WATER CYCLE = ___________________
HYDROLOGIC CYCLE

7. WHY IS WATER IMPORTANT? Makes up 60-70% of your body
Oxygen and Hydrogen are found in all the ________________________: carbohydrates, proteins,
nucleic acids, lipids
Hydrogen in H2O supplies
protons (H+) & electrons
for_______________
building blocks of cells
photosynthesis

8. WHY IS WATER IMPORTANT? SOLVENT Water is a good _________________
Many molecules dissolve in water so it
provides a place for chemical reactions
to happen
Water doesn’t change temperature easily so it helps with
________________________
SOLVENT
TEMPERATURE REGULATION

9. WATER CYCLE evaporation condensation

10. The evaporation of water from the surface of plant leaves
The evaporation of water from the surface of plant leaves
= ________________
TRANSPIRATION
The return of water to the surface in the form of
rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc.
= ____________________
PRECIPITATION

11. WATER CYCLE PH ONLINE LINK Put in code: cbp-2033 Choose Start
Image edited from:
WATER CYCLE
PH ONLINE LINK
Put in code: cbp Choose Start

12. CARBON CYCLE CO2 in atmosphere CO2 in ocean
BIOLOGY; Miller and Levine; Prentice Hall; 2006

13. Generalized Nutrient cycling
consumers
consumers
consumers
producers
decomposers
decomposers
nutrients ENTER FOOD CHAIN = made available to producers
nutrients made available to producers
return to abiotic reservoir
Decomposition connects all trophic levels
abiotic reservoir
abiotic reservoir
geologic processes
geologic processes

14. 4 main CARBON reservoirs in BIOSPHERE
In ____________ as CO2 gas
In _______ as dissolved CO2 gas
On _______ in organisms, rocks, soil
__________ as coal, petroleum, natural gas (fossil fuels) and calcium carbonate (limestone) in rocks
atmosphere
ocean
land
Underground
CO2 in
atmosphere
CO2 in
Ocean
BIOLOGY; Miller and Levine; Prentice Hall; 2006

15. Where does CO2 in atmosphere come from?
Ocean
Volcanic activity
________________
______________
_________________
____________ of dead organisms
Human activity (burning fossil fuels)
Cellular respiration
Decomposition
BIOLOGY; Miller and Levine; Prentice Hall; 2006

16. WHY IS CARBON IMPORTANT?
BUILDING BLOCKS
Found in all the _______________ of cells: carbohydrates, proteins,
nucleic acids, lipids
Image by Riedell

17. WHY IS CARBON IMPORTANT?
Carbon in CO2 provides the atoms for
__________ production during __________________...
the fuel that all living things depend on.
GLUCOSE
PHOTOSYNTHESIS

18. Now… Complete your Carbon Cycle FIB note
Complete the homework questions on Carbon cycle

19. NITROGEN CYCLE NH3 NO3- and NO2- N2 in Atmosphere Section 3-3
BIOLOGY; Miller and Levine; Prentice Hall; 2006

21. WHY IS NITROGEN IMPORTANT?
NITROGEN BASES
__________________make DNA and RNA
ATP
Adenine (nitrogen base) is used in _______
amino acids
Makes AMINO part of _________ (proteins)
Image by Riedell
Image by Riedell

22. 79% of the atmosphere is made up of NITROGEN gas (N2)
BUT we _____ use the nitrogen gas
we breathe!
The bond in N2 gas is so
strong it can only be broken by
_______________
____________________
CAN’T
lightning
Volcanic activity
few special bacteria
Image by Riedell
Image by Riedell

23. Bacteria that live ______________ and in _________ relationships with
plants called _________, take
nitrogen from the atmosphere and
turn it into ______________, a form
that is usable by plants.
THIS PROCESS
IS CALLED _________________
in the soil
symbiotic
legumes
AMMONIA (NH3)
NITROGEN FIXATION

24. Other bacteria in the soil convert ammonia into ________________
& _________________
which plants can also use.
The nitrogen we need for proteins,
ATP, and nucleic acids comes from
the ___________
___________
we breathe!
NITRATES (NO3- )
& NITRITES (NO2-)
FOOD WE EAT
NOT THE AIR
Image from: and
modified by Riedell

25. NITROGEN CYCLE NH3 NO3- and NO2- N2 in Atmosphere Section 3-3
BIOLOGY; Miller and Levine; Prentice Hall; 2006

26. Bacteria that live ______________ also carry out the reverse process
___________ → _____________.
THIS PROCESS
IS CALLED _________________
in the soil
NITRATES
& NITRITES
NITROGEN GAS
DENITRIFICATION

28. Artificial Fertilizers!!
Until the 20th century, N-fixation was only natural and most wild plants thrive in low N-levels
Scientists developed a way to fix N…
Farmers increased crop yields
More N introduced into environment than ecosystem can absorb and use!!
Artificial Fertilizers!!

29. Agriculture and Nutrient cycling Key Ideas:
N & P both essential to living things
Rate of cycles depends on how fast things break down (decompose)
 temp, moist soil, O2…  decomposition and cycle rate…
N & P leave the soil in plants and when harvested are removed from ecosystem…
would deplete soil if not replaced
Fertilizers restore nutrients and  production from land… can double yields!
Too much fertilizer can change the pH of soil (acidic) & impact plants growth

30. Problems???
Algal Blooms
Spring run-off carries fertilizer-rich soil into lakes causing algae to “bloom” (grow rapidly) & then die
Bacteria decompose algae (use O2), therefore,  bacteria levels &  O2 levels
 O2 levels impact fish… die…
… more decomposition…   O2 levels
Nitrates convert to Nitrites are harmful to infants and can accumulate in water!

32. Problems ??? Eutrophication of lakes
Oligotrophic lakes are deep, cold, and clear with low nutrient levels and limited producer populations
Eutrophic lakes are shallow, warmer and nutrient-rich. Favoured by producers… murky water
These lakes become more shallow and eventually fill in and dry out
Lakes transform from oligotrophic to eutrophic over 100s to 1000s of years
Adding nutrient-rich substances (human waste, fertilizers in runoff, etc) can accelerate the transformation or “eutrophication” of lakes
… concerning??

34. acid precipitation (rain, snow)
SO2
pollutants
H2SO4
HNO3
acids
3. Acid Precipitation
acid precipitation (rain, snow) +
H2O
Water vapour in air

35. Acid Precipitation Direct Effects Ecosystem effects
40x more acidic than normal rain
Kills fish, soil bacteria, plants
Alkaline soils are more resistant (buffer) acidic soils are more susceptible
**airborne can travel and turn to acid when contact H2O
ex. Dew on lawn, respiratory tract
Direct Effects
dissolve statues, corrode metal, damage buildings
Respiratory problems,  asthma, bronchitis
Irritate eyes and skin
Ecosystem effects
Damage trees -  susceptibility to disease