1. Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and the Water Cycle
Biogeochemical Cycle
Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and
the Water Cycle

2. A General Model of Chemical Cycling
Gaseous carbon, oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen occur in the atmosphere and cycle globally
Less mobile element such as phosphorus cycle on a more local level, no atmospheric reservoir
A model of nutrient cycling includes main reservoirs of elements and processes that transfer elements between reservoirs
Elements and water cycle between reservoirs

3. Biogeochemical Cycles
In studying cycling of water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, ecologists focus on four factors:
1. Each chemical’s biological importance
2. Forms in which each chemical is available or used by organisms
3. Major reservoirs for each chemical
4. Key processes driving movement of each chemical through its cycle
Bozeman Lesson on Biogeochemical Cycles

4. Life depends on recycling chemical elements
Biological and geochemical processes move nutrients between organic and inorganic parts of the ecosystem. Illustration on the right shows different processes that can move chemical from one reservoir to another. C C C C
Life depends on recycling chemical elements
Nutrient circuits in ecosystems involve biotic and abiotic components and are often called biogeochemical cycles

5. Water Cycle
Component of living substances like cytoplasm, plasma in blood, tears, sweat, saliva
It is a universal solvent – many things dissolve in it.
Plays a role in chemical reactions- hydrolysis, photosynthesis
Used by organisms to regulate body temperature, specifically for cooling. “When water in sweat evaporates it absorbs heat from body.”
Stabilizes air and water temperature – prevents large changes in temperature by absorbing sun’s summer’s heat or releasing heat energy during winter cold

6. Hydrologic Cycle (Water Cycle)
A colorful look at how water moves through the ecosystem
Is this the only cycle that can exist in the ecosystem? No!

7. Diagram Questions…. Which process is missing
Diagram Questions… Which process is missing? Percolation occurs after precipitation and before storage during which water filters down through aerated soil due to gravity. What reservoir will hold this water? Aquifer

8. Use your finger to trace the many ways water can cycle through the
ecosystem…Pick a reservoir and try to get back to it.

9. A Final Look…What do you think?

10. For your Interest Only…
Bozeman Lesson on Water Sources
For your Interest Only…
What is desalinization? Why desalinate?

11. Carbon Cycle
Essential element in living things for making proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids
Component of the atmosphere (.03%)
Component of sedimentary rock (CaCO3). Known also as limestone.

12. What processes occur in the geosphere, biosphere and atmosphere?
Carbon Cycle
What processes occur in the geosphere, biosphere and atmosphere?

13. Rocks – Largest Reservoir of Carbon
Limestone is calcium
carbonate. It is also
known as sedimentary
rock. It is a carbon reservoir. When it dissolves it helps to maintain lake water pH by removing H+ ions.
For your interest only…
Flinn Lab Video
The Limestone Cycle
Rocks – Largest Reservoir of Carbon

14. Can you find all the carbon compounds?

15. Not on Test Ocean Acidification
ocean-acidification-and-marine-life/
Increasing hydrogen ion concentration means it will react with carbonate ion causing more bicarbonate ion. Less carbonate ion means less to react with calcium ion and no calcium carbonate for shells
Not on Test
Ocean Acidification

16. Can you explain what is happening???
Not on Test
Can you explain what is happening???
As the amount of CO2 increases in the atmosphere, more can dissolve in the ocean and react to form carbonic acid. This decrease seawater pH as seen in the two graphs.

17. Last Review of Carbon Cycle:
Use your finger to trace the many ways water can cycle through the ecosystem…Pick a reservoir and try to get back to it.

18. A Final Look….Where do you fit in?

19. Nitrogen Cycle Important because…
Used to make proteins which are organic compounds that contain nitrogen
Used to make nucleic acids which are organic compounds (DNA and RNA) which contain nitrogen

20. Do NOW: With your table group, complete the task below
Do NOW: With your table group, complete the task below. Time limit – 10 minutes
Two people will obtain blue, red and white paper.
Use templates to make 8 large circles, 5 medium size circles, and 7 small circles.
Large circle color =blue Medium=red Small=white
Use a marker, write an N on all blue circles, a O on the red circles and an H on the white circles.
The other two people will obtain a yellow piece of paper and marker.
Create yellow paper flashcards with the following terms on one side: nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, ammonification, assimilation, consumption, excretion
When circles and flashcards are complete, think about which two processes go along with each nitrogen form: Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia, Protein, Nitrogen, Ammonium, Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Have students make the yellow processes and the red/blue/white circles
Ask, What component of a biogeochemical cycle is represented by the yellow strips of paper? Processes
Now look at your scrap paper – which two process involve nitrogen? Nitrate? Ammonia or Ammonia?
Notes on the processes – Have students write the chemical change on the front with process, i.e. nitrogen fixation N2  NH3/NH4+
Show students that N is cycling by circling the N
Tell student to make each form. When done…create the nitrogen cycle on the lab table. Draw it or take a picture of it and upload it to drive.

21. Types of Proteins (Chapter 3, Section 11)
Transport – used to carry specific substance, example is hemoglobin protein for carrying oxygen in blood
Chemical reaction – used to help make a reaction go, example is an enzyme
Signal – used to make a cell do a specific task, for example a neurotransmitter tells a nerve cell to send a message to the brain or body part
Storage – used as a source of nutrients for use, for example ovalbumin (egg white in eggs)
Contraction – used to make something move, for example muscle proteins contract the bicep muscle
Receptor – used to receive a message from another cell to trigger a specific action, for example, insulin binds to insulin receptor and cell takes in extra sugar from blood
Types of Proteins (Chapter 3, Section 11)

22. Reservoirs: Forms: Atmosphere Soil Organisms plants animals bacteria
nitrogen
nitrate
nitrite
ammonia/ammonium
proteins contain “N”
urine contains ammonia
Reservoirs:
Atmosphere
Soil
Organisms
plants
animals
bacteria
fungi
Consumption
Denitrification
Assimilation
Excretion
Nitrogen fixation
Ammonification
Nitrification

23. Phosphorus Cycle
Element found in proteins and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). DNA is the information to make proteins.
Important plant nutrient in the form of phosphate, PO4-3

25. Combustion of fossil fuel Cloud formation – condensation
Classify each process as biological, geological or chemical/physical process
Combustion of fossil fuel
Cloud formation – condensation
Sedimentary rock formation
Erosion of rock
Volcanic explosion
Lightning strikes
Cellular respiration
Photosynthesis
Run off of water