Energy flow in

an ecosystem

Biogeochemical cycle
  Though the energy flow in an ecosystem is one
way, the flow of nutrients is cyclical. All
organisms need nutrients for their growth.
 The cyclical flow of nutrients within an
ecosystem is called the bio-geo-chemical cycle.
Biogeochemica  Nutrients, necessary for the growth of organisms
are continuously transferred from abiotic to
l cycle biotic factors and biotic to abiotic factors within
an ecosystem. This cycle operates continuously
through the medium of the biosphere formed by
the lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere.
The recycling of biological, geological and
chemical sources of nutrients in this process is a
complex process and depends upon the level of
energy transfer in the ecosystem.
  Bio-geo-chemical cycle is broadly classified as:-
1. Hydrological cycle:- The sequence of conditions
through which water passes from vapour in the
atmosphere through precipitation upon land or water
surfacesband ultimately back into the atmosphere as a
result of evaporation and transpiration is called as
Types of Hydrological cycle. For example, WATER CYCLE
2. Gaseous cycle:- A cycle which exists in the atmosphere
Biogeochemical or oceans through evaporation is called as Gaseous
cycle cycle. For examples, NITROGEN CYCLE, CARBON
CYCLE, OXYGEN CYCLE, etc.
3. Sedimentary cycle:- A cycle which comprises the
weathering of an existing rock, followed by the erosion
of materials, their transport and deposition then burial
is called as Sedimentary cycle. For example,
SULPHUR CYCLE.
 GASEOUS CYCLE SEDIMENTARY CYCLE
1. An accumulation of 1. An accumulation of the
the main abiotic main abiotic nutrient
gaseous nutrient materials is found in soil,
Biogeochemica materials is found in sediment and
the earth’s sedimentary rocks, etc. of
l cycle atmosphere. the earth.
2. It includes Nitrogen 2. Includes soil components
cycle, Oxygen cycle, like iron, calcium,
Carbon dioxide phosphorus, etc.
cycle, Water vapour,
etc.
  The gaseous cycle is a speedier cycle than
the sedimentation cycle. For example, if
CO2 has accumulated in an area, it is
quickly dispersed with the wind or absorbed
by plants.
Biogeochemical  Climatic changes and human activities
cycle seriously affect the speed, intensity and
equilibrium of these cycles Hence, various
aspects of these cycles are extensively
studied nowadays.
 ASSOCIATION OF GASEOUS AND
SEDIMENTARY CYCLE
 The cycle of gases and the sedimentary cycle
cannot be completely separated from each
other. For example, nitrogen is present in the
Biogeochemic form of a gas in the atmosphere and in the
form of compounds like nitrogen oxide in the
al cycle soil and sediments. Similarly, carbon occurs in
abiotic form mainly in coal, granite, diamond,
limestone, etc. in the earth's crust and in the
form of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere.
Generally, carbon is present in plants and
animals for a much shorter duration than it is in
coal.
  The circulation and recycling of carbon from the
atmosphere to living organisms and after their
death back to the atomsphere is called the
carbon cycle. Abiotic carbon atoms are
circulated and recycled into biotic form mainly
through photosynthesis and respiration. Hence,
the carbon cycle is one of the important bio-
geo-chemical cycles.
CARBON CYCLE  Plants convert carbon dioxide into
carbohydrates by the process of
photosynthesis. Similarly, they produce carbon
compounds like proteins and fats, too.
Herbivores feed upon plants. Carnivores feed
upon herbivores. In this way, biotic carbon is
transported from plants to herbivores, from
herbivores to carnivores and from carnivores to
apex consumers.
  Eventally, after death, all types of consumer, are
decomposed by decomposers like bacteria and
fungi and carbon dioxide is released again into
the atmosphere and is used again by living
organism. In this way, carbon is continuously
passed on from one living organism to another.
After the death of living organisms, carbon goes
to the atmosphere and is again taken up by living
CARBON CYCLE organisms.
 Main processes in carbon cycle:-
1. Respiration
Mitochondria
C6H12O6 + 6O2 ------------------→ 6CO2 + 6H20 + ATP

2. Photosynthesis
Sunlight
6CO2 + 6H20 ------------------→ C6H12O6 + 6H20 + 6O2
Chlorophyll
CARBON CYCLE
 Carbon dioxide is released into the
atmosphere through abiotic
processes like burning of fossil fuels
and wood, forest fires and volcanic
Balance of activity. Oxygen is released into the
Carbon dioxide atmosphere by the biotic process of
and oxygen in photosynthesis and CO2 through
air by plants respiration. The equilibrium of oxygen
and carbon dioxide gases in the
atmosphere is maitained by plants.
 1. The carbon cycle is very effective in the temperate
region. Why is it so?
Ans. Temperature zone is characterized as that part of the
region which has moderate temperature. It is neither too
hot nor too cold. It is also mild and favorable for the cycles
to occur as well. Due to moderate temperature the
Use your exchange of carbon from the living matter back to the air
becomes easy. Hence makes it favorable for the carbon
BRAIN cycle.
power!!!!
2. Identify the relationship between carbon in the air
and the rise in atmospheric temperature.
Ans. Temperature of earth will increase at least more 0.6
degree Celsius (1 degree Fahrenheit) because of carbon
dioxide already in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide in air
causes global warming and gglobal warming causes rise in
atmospheric temperature.
 3. Even though the carbon content on earth is
constant, why is there a rise in temperature due to
carbon dioxide?
Ans. Carbon dioxide is only a very small part of
atmosphere (0.04%), it plays a large role in the energy
balance of the earth.
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acts like a blanket over
Use your the earth by trapping long wave radiation (U. V. Rays or
BRAIN Infrared rays), which would otherwise radiate away from
power!!!! the earth. As the amount of carbon dioxide increases, so
will its warming effect. Carbon dioxide is the largest
contributor (currently 63%) to this effect by long lived
gases and its role increases each year. The additional
burden of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will remain for
a very long time, of the order of thousands of years, if we
have to rely on the natural mechanisms of erosion and
sedimentation to process the added carbon dioxide.
  Oxygen forms 21% of the amosphere. It is also
present in the hydrosphere and lithosphere.
 Circulation and recycling of oxygen within the
biosphere is called the oxygen cycle. This cycle,
too, includes both the biotic and abiotic
components.
 Oxygen is continuously produced as well as used
OXYGEN up in the atmosphere.Oxygen is highly reactive
CYCLE and it readily reacts with other elements and
compounds. As oxygen is found in various forms
like molecular oxygen (O2), water (H2O), carbon
dioxide (CO2), inorganic compounds, etc. the
oxygen cycle of the biosphere is extremely
complex. Oxygen is released in the process of
photosynthesis whereas it is used up in
processes like respiration, combustion,
decomposition, corrosion, rusting, etc.
 USES OF OXYGEN
Most micro-organisms use oxygen
for respiration. Such microbes are
called aerobes. Microbes which do
not need oxygen are called
OXYGEN anaerobes. Oxygen is important for
CYCLE the synthesis of proteins,
carbohydrates and fats. It is also
used in various chemical reactions.
Ozone (O3) is produced from
oxygen through various
atmospheric processes.
OXYGEN
CYCLE
 NITROGEN FIXATION
 “The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into its
compounds like ammonia and nitrates which can
be used by living things(organisms) is called
NITROGEN FIXATION.”
NITROGEN  There are two types of nitrogen fixation as:-
FIXATION 1. BIOLOGICAL FIXATION
2. ATMOSPHERIC FIXATION
 BIOLOGICAL FIXATION
Micro-organisms that bring about nitrogen
fixation are of two kinds. One of these
types are found in the nodules of roots of
certain plants while the other types are
found in the soil.
NITROGEN
The micro-organisms in the nodules
FIXATION absorb the nitrogen from the air and
convert it into nitrogen compounds.
The micro-organisms in the soil convert
atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia,
nitrous acid, nitric acid and eventually into
Nitrates.
 ATMOSPHERIC FIXATION
 When there is lightening and thundering in the
sky, atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen
combine to form nitric oxide. This nitric oxide
is oxidized again and nitrogen dioxide is
formed.
NITROGEN  Nitrogen dioxide dissolves in rainwater and
FIXATION finally forms nitric acid. This nitric acid falls to
earth dissolved in rainwater. There it reacts
with the salts present in the soil to form
nitrates. Plants use these nitrates for their
own growth.
 Thus, nitrogen in the air becomes available to
living things after biological and atmospheric
fixation.
 1. What is meant by nitrogen fixation?
Ans. “The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into its
compounds like ammonia and nitrates which can be
used by living things(organisms) is called NITROGEN
FIXATION.”

Can you recall?

2. Which microbes bring about the process of
nitrogen fixation?
Ans. Nitrogen fixation is done by micro-organisms like
Azotobacter, Rhizobium, Nitrifying organisms, etc.
 3. Write uses of nitrogen.
Ans. Followings are the uses of nitrogen:-
1. Nitrogen is useful for the growth of living organisms,
plants get nitrogen from the soil in the form of nitrates
and fertilizers. This helps them to grow. Plants use this
nitrogen to produce proteinaceous substances. Other
Can you living things use plants as food. This helps them to
grow too.
recall? 2. Nitrogen is used for producing fertilizers.
3. Nitrogen is used in industry for the large scale
production of ammonia and nitric acid.
4. Nitrogen is used to make thermometers for measuring
very high temperature.
 Nitrogen forms 78% i.e. the maximum portion of the
atmosphere. It is necessary for the maintenance of the
cycle of nature.
 The circulation and recycling of nitrogen gas into the
form of different compounds through various biotic and
abiotic processes in nature is called the nitrogen cycle.
NITROGEN  All organisms participate in the nitrogen cycle. It is an
important component of proteins and nucleic acids.
CYCLE  As compared to other elements, it is inactive and does
not easily combine with other elements.
 Most organisms cannot use the free form of nitrogen.
 IMPORTANCE OF NITROGEN CYCLE
1. Nitrogen fixation:- The conversion of atmospheric or free
form of nitrogen into biologically acceptable form is called as
nitrogen fixation. It is done by biological and atmospheric
factors.
2. Nitrogen Assimilation:- Inorganic nitrogen in the form of
nitrates, nitrates and ammonia are absorbed by green plants
and converted into nitrogenous organic compounds.
NITROGEN
3. Nitrification:- The dead organisms or remains of plants
CYCLE and animals are acted upon by number of micro-organisms.
They utilitie organic compounds in their metabolism and
release ammonia.
4. Denitrification:- Ammonia and nitrates are converted into
free nitrogen by certain microbes.
5. Sedimentation:- Nitrates of soil are washed down. Thus
they are locked into rocks. Nitrogen of rock is released only
when rocks are exposed and weathered.
NITROGEN
CYCLE
Presented by
Hitesh Sir