1. Cycles of Matter

2. Fundamentals Matter can not be created or destroyed
So…matter must cycle
The big six:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorous
Sulfur

3. Carbon Cycle Carbon - Basic building of organic compounds
CO2 is a key component of the atmosphere’s thermostat

4. Sources of Carbon from Human Activity
Carbon Cycle
Natural Sources of
Carbon
Sources of Carbon from Human Activity
Death of plants and animals
Animal waste
Atmospheric CO2
Weathering
Methane gas from cows (and other ruminants)
Aerobic respiration from terrestrial and aquatic life
Burning wood or forests
Cars, trucks, planes
Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas to produce heat and energy.

6. Largest reservoir: Marine sediments
Carbon Cycle
Largest reservoir: Marine sediments

7. Carbon Cycle - Oceans Role
The ocean is a HUGE carbon sink
Many animals pull carbon from water for shells, etc.
Animals die and carbon is deposited at the bottom of the ocean.

8. Nitrogen Cycle 78% of atmosphere nitrogen Major reservoir
Not usable by most organisms
Nitrogen Fixation
Lightning
Done by bacteria or algae

9. Nitrogen Cycle – Anthropogenic
Burning fossil fuels  release of nitric oxide
Fertilizer  in soil
Deforestation  release to atmosphere
Agriculture runoff  water

10. Nitrogen Cycle

11. Phosphorus Cycle Major reservoir is rock.
Major limiting resource for terrestrial plant growth
Human influences:
Mining phosphate  fertilizers
Fertilizer runoff
Result: algae blooms 
eutrophication

12. Phosphorus Cycle

13. Sulfur Cycle Major reservoir: underground rock & mineral formations
Natural cycle
Volcanic activity
Anaerobic decomposition
Sea Spray
Forest fires
Human activity
Burning fossil fuels
Refining petroleum
Extracting metals such as zinc or copper

14. Sulfur Cycle