Biogeochemical Cycles

Water Nitrogen Carbon Dioxide Phosphorus Sulfur

Biogeochemical Cycle :
chemical elements are required by life from the living and nonliving parts of the environment. These elements cycle in either a gas cycle or a sedimentary cycle In a gas cycle elements move through the atmosphere. Main reservoirs are the atmosphere and the ocean. Sedimentary cycle elements move from land to water to sediment.

Rain clouds

Condensation Transpiration Evaporation Transpiration

from plants Surface runoff (rapid) Evaporation from land Evaporation from ocean

Precipitation to land

Precipitation
Runoff

Precipitation
Precipitation to ocean

Infiltration and Percolation

Groundwater movement (slow)

Surface runoff (rapid) Ocean storage

Fig. 3-26, p. 72

Effects of Human Activities on Water Cycle

We alter the water cycle by:
Withdrawing large amounts of freshwater. Clearing vegetation and eroding soils. Polluting surface and underground water. Contributing to climate change.

Carbon Cycle
What are the 2 main processes in the carbon cycle?

Carbon Cycle
Carbon (C) enters the biosphere during photosynthesis: CO2 + H2O (carbon dioxide+ water)---> C6H12O6 + O2 + H2O(sugar+oxygen+water) Carbon is returned to the biosphere in cellular respiration: O2 +H2O + C6H12O6 ---> CO2 +H2O + energy

Carbon Facts
Every year there is a measurable difference in the concentration of atmospheric CO2 with changes in the seasons.

For example, in winter there is almost no photosynthesis ( higher CO2 ) During the growing season there is a measurable difference in the concentration of atmospheric CO2 over parts of each day.

Effects of Human Activities on Carbon Cycle

We alter the carbon cycle by adding excess CO2 to the atmosphere through:
Burning fossil fuels. Clearing vegetation faster than it is replaced.
Figure 3-28

Nitrogen cycle

Nitrogen Facts
Nitrogen (N) is an essential constituent of protein, DNA, RNA, and chlorophyll. Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere. Nitrogen must be fixed or converted into a usable form.

Oxygen Cycle (Photosynthesis)

Sources of Oxygen:
Photosynthesis and respiration Photo disassociation of H2O vapor CO2 and O2 circulates freely throughout the biosphere. Some CO2 combines with Ca to form carbonates. O2 combines with nitrogen compounds to form nitrates. O2 combines with iron compounds to form ferric oxides. O2 in the troposphere is reduced to O3 (ozone). Ground level O3 (ozone) is a pollutant which damages lungs.

Phosphorus (P) Cycle

Effects of Human Activities on the Nitrogen Cycle

We alter the nitrogen cycle by:
Adding gases that contribute to acid rain. Adding nitrous oxide to the atmosphere through farming practices which can warm the atmosphere and deplete ozone. Contaminating ground water from nitrate ions in inorganic fertilizers. Releasing nitrogen into the troposphere through deforestation.

Phosphorus (P) Cycle

Component of DNA, RNA, ATP, proteins and enzymes - Cycles in a sedimentary cycle - A good example of how a mineral element becomes part of an organism. - The source of Phosphorus (P) is rock. - Phosphorus is released into the cycle through erosion or mining. - Phosphorus is soluble in H2O as phosphate (PO4) -Phosphorus is taken up by plant roots, then travels through food chains. - It is returned to sediment

Effects of Human Activities on the Phosphorous Cycle

We remove large amounts of phosphate from the earth to make fertilizer. We reduce phosphorous in tropical soils by clearing forests. We add excess phosphates to aquatic systems from runoff of animal wastes and fertilizers.

Sulfur (s) Cycle

Component of protein Cycles in both a gas and sedimentary cycle. The source of Sulfur is the lithosphere (earth's crust) Sulfur (S) enters the atmosphere as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) during fossil fuel combustion, volcanic eruptions, gas exchange at ocean surfaces, and decomposition. SO2 and water vapor makes H2SO4 ( a weak sulfuric acid), which is then carried to Earth in rainfall. Sulfur in soluble form is taken up by plant roots and incorporated into amino acids such as cysteine. It then travels through the food chain and is eventually released through decomposition.

Effects of Human Activities on the Sulfur Cycle

We add sulfur dioxide to the atmosphere by:
Burning coal and oil Refining sulfur containing petroleum. Convert sulfur-containing metallic ores into free metals such as copper, lead, and zinc releasing sulfur dioxide into the environment.

Summary
The building blocks of life :Water ,Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, Phosphorus, Sulfur Continually cycle through Earth's systems, the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and lithosphere, on time scales that range from a few days to millions of years. These cycles are called biogeochemical cycles, because they include a variety of biological, geological, and chemical processes.