1. Intro to Range--OBJ 4: PPT
The Carbon Cycle
Reservoir of CO2
in atmosphere
(about 0.04%) 1.
Fossil fuels
Time
Mining & extraction 2. 3. 4. 5.

2. Intro to Range--OBJ 4: PPT
The Carbon Cycle
Reservoir of CO2
in atmosphere
(about 0.04%)
Acid rain
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Decomposition
Combustion
Fossil fuels
Time
Mining & extraction
About 0.04% of Earth’s atmosphere is CO2. Carbon is the key element of life on Earth. All organic (decomposable and digestible) materials contain carbon. Inorganic compounds (like water—H20) do not contain carbon.
Acid rain: delivers CO2 dissolved in water vapor to earth.
Photosynthesis: turns CO2 into plant biomass.
Respiration: converts sugars & starches into energy for organism and releases CO2.
Decomposition: converts dead plants & animals into CO2 and other inorganic nutrients.
Combustion: production of heat & CO2 by burning carbon-containing resources like fossil fuels.

3. Intro to Range--OBJ 4: PPT
The nitrogen cycle
NO3- & NH4+ (from plants and animals)
Excessive NO3- & NH4+ in aquatic ecosystems can cause eutrophication.
Death , decay, & excretion
Reservoir of nitrogen (N2) in atmosphere
(about 80%)
NO3- & NH4+ (later used by plants) 1. 2. 3. 4.
Plants use nitrogen to make protein, and animals eat protein to make flesh.

4. Intro to Range--OBJ 4: PPT
The nitrogen cycle
NO3- & NH4+ (from plants and animals)
Excessive NO3- & NH4+ in aquatic ecosystems can cause eutrophication.
Death , decay, & excretion
Reservoir of nitrogen (N2) in atmosphere
(about 80%)
NO3- & NH4+ (later used by plants)
1. Denitrification
2. Biological fixation
3. Atmospheric fixation
4. Industrial fixation
Plants use nitrogen to make protein, and animals eat protein to make flesh.
Denitrification converts biological nitrogen (proteins  NH4 & NO3) into atmospheric nitrogen (N2).
Biological fixation: bacteria in the roots of legumes fix nitrogen.
Atmospheric fixation
Industrial fixation

5. Intro to Range--OBJ 4: PPT
The phosphorous cycle
(Corn)
Detergents & fertilizers
Excessive phosphates in aquatic ecosystems can cause eutrophication.
Reservoir in phosphate rocks
Biologically active phosphate in soil
Animal & plant wastes and remains
Absorption
Why is the phosphorous cycle important?  ATP, DNA, RNA formation
Phosphorous is not found in the atmosphere—it is found mostly on land in soil and rocks or in bodies of water. It cycles through water, soil, and rocks—not in the air. Phosphorous forms part of nucleotides which are important for ATP (energy storage) and DNA/RNA formation.
Phosphorous in soil comes from:
Weathering of phosphate rocks.
Decomposition of plant & and animal wastes and remains.
Humans make phosphates through mining & chemical weathering