The Cycles of Life By Max Hennemann
Biogeochemical Cycles are the ways in which energy and elements flow throughout an ecosystem. These cycles are important because they transport the elements that we need to survive.
The Hydrologic Cycle
Also known as the Water Cycle
Hydrologic Cycle Description The hydrologic cycle focuses on the movement of water throughout the environment. It depicts how H20 changes states in the cycle. Humans impact the hydrologic cycle when we consume, dam, and pollute water.
Hydrologic Cycle Steps
(part 1)
* The first step of the Hydrologic Cycle is evaporation, where water H20 heats to become moist air.
* Next, the water vapor cools and condenses, forming clouds.
* Precipitation occurs when water particles fall to the ground. Hydrologic Cycle Steps (part 2) The Carbon Cycle Carbon Description Carbon (C) is often called the “building block of life” because all organisms are based on carbon. Like water, carbon can change states of matter. For millions of years, much of the Earth’s carbon supply had been stored in natural gas. Humans have harvested much of this for energy, and deposited the CO2 into the atmosphere, greatly contributing to global warming. Carbon Cycle Steps (part 1) * When fossil fuels are burned, carbon (C) is converted into C02 and released into the atmosphere. * In this process, many pollutants are released as well. * Another way that carbon is released into the atmosphere is through decay. This occurs when decomposers break down dead plant material. Carbon Cycle Steps (part 2) * Plants and animals release C02 into the atmosphere as a waste product through respiration. * Carbon dioxide is also released into the atmosphere when trees are burned. * Carbon is constantly being exchanged between the air and the ocean Carbon Cycle Steps (part 3) * Phytoplankton are microscopic primary producers that reside in the ocean. Phytoplankton use photosynthesis to consume carbon, which is eventually either transported to the bottom of the ocean where the phytoplankton die and form sediments, or consumed by other fish. Carbon Cycle Steps (part 4) * Ocean sediments can be calcified against rock and forms rock. This rock formation can become sedimentary rock and later become fossil fuels. * Minerals from rocks that contain carbon can be weathered by rainfall and become sediments at the bottom of the ocean. Long Term Carbon Storage Carbon can be stored in vegetation, soil, fossil fuels, sediments, rocks, the ocean, and the atmosphere. …show more content…
The Nitrogen Cycle http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/9s.html Nitrogen Description Nitrogen is a key element to the survival of organisms. Nitrogen makes up 78% of Earth’s atmosphere and is found in proteins and DNA. Humans release nitrogen into the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels, contributing to acid rain and the greenhouse effect.
Nitrogen Cycle Steps
(part 1)
* Most nitrogen is stored in organic matter. When this organic matter dies and decomposes, the nitrogen becomes ammonium salts through the process called mineralization. The nitrogen found in organic matter goes from ammonia (NH3-) to ammonium salts (NH4+).
* The process of nitrification converts ammonia (NH3) to nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The chemical formula is NH3 + 1.5 O2 --> NO2- + H+ + H20.
Nitrogen Cycle Steps
(part 2)
* Denitrification is the process where nitrate leaks to the ocean or the soil and is then returned to the atmosphere.
* Plants can absorb nitrates (NO3-) as well, which is turned back into the cycle when these plants are consumed by animals.
Nitrogen Cycle Steps
(part 3)
* Nitrate can be lost in soil and back into bodies of water. This process is called leaching. * Most nitrogen comes from the atmosphere, and is released through rainfall and lightning. The Phosphorus Cycle https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/961-the-phosphorus-cycle Phosphorus Description All plants and animals need phosphorus to survive. Phosphates her make up DNA, RNA, and lipids. A common use for phosphorus is fertilizers. When humans use these fertilizers much of the phosphorus runs off into water, causing algae to overgrow, and in turn starving the water body of oxygen. Phosphorus Cycle Steps (part 1) * Weathering causes rocks to release phosphate ions (PO43-), and other minerals, which moves to water and soil. * The phosphate in the soils taken by producers such as plants; these plants are then consumed by primary consumers, where it
Biogeochemical Cycles are the ways in which energy and elements flow throughout an ecosystem. These cycles are important because they transport the elements that we need to survive.
The Hydrologic Cycle
Also known as the Water Cycle
Hydrologic Cycle Description The hydrologic cycle focuses on the movement of water throughout the environment. It depicts how H20 changes states in the cycle. Humans impact the hydrologic cycle when we consume, dam, and pollute water.
Hydrologic Cycle Steps
(part 1)
* The first step of the Hydrologic Cycle is evaporation, where water H20 heats to become moist air.
* Next, the water vapor cools and condenses, forming clouds.
* Precipitation occurs when water particles fall to the ground. Hydrologic Cycle Steps (part 2) The Carbon Cycle Carbon Description Carbon (C) is often called the “building block of life” because all organisms are based on carbon. Like water, carbon can change states of matter. For millions of years, much of the Earth’s carbon supply had been stored in natural gas. Humans have harvested much of this for energy, and deposited the CO2 into the atmosphere, greatly contributing to global warming. Carbon Cycle Steps (part 1) * When fossil fuels are burned, carbon (C) is converted into C02 and released into the atmosphere. * In this process, many pollutants are released as well. * Another way that carbon is released into the atmosphere is through decay. This occurs when decomposers break down dead plant material. Carbon Cycle Steps (part 2) * Plants and animals release C02 into the atmosphere as a waste product through respiration. * Carbon dioxide is also released into the atmosphere when trees are burned. * Carbon is constantly being exchanged between the air and the ocean Carbon Cycle Steps (part 3) * Phytoplankton are microscopic primary producers that reside in the ocean. Phytoplankton use photosynthesis to consume carbon, which is eventually either transported to the bottom of the ocean where the phytoplankton die and form sediments, or consumed by other fish. Carbon Cycle Steps (part 4) * Ocean sediments can be calcified against rock and forms rock. This rock formation can become sedimentary rock and later become fossil fuels. * Minerals from rocks that contain carbon can be weathered by rainfall and become sediments at the bottom of the ocean. Long Term Carbon Storage Carbon can be stored in vegetation, soil, fossil fuels, sediments, rocks, the ocean, and the atmosphere. …show more content…
The Nitrogen Cycle http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/9s.html Nitrogen Description Nitrogen is a key element to the survival of organisms. Nitrogen makes up 78% of Earth’s atmosphere and is found in proteins and DNA. Humans release nitrogen into the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels, contributing to acid rain and the greenhouse effect.
Nitrogen Cycle Steps
(part 1)
* Most nitrogen is stored in organic matter. When this organic matter dies and decomposes, the nitrogen becomes ammonium salts through the process called mineralization. The nitrogen found in organic matter goes from ammonia (NH3-) to ammonium salts (NH4+).
* The process of nitrification converts ammonia (NH3) to nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The chemical formula is NH3 + 1.5 O2 --> NO2- + H+ + H20.
Nitrogen Cycle Steps
(part 2)
* Denitrification is the process where nitrate leaks to the ocean or the soil and is then returned to the atmosphere.
* Plants can absorb nitrates (NO3-) as well, which is turned back into the cycle when these plants are consumed by animals.
Nitrogen Cycle Steps
(part 3)
* Nitrate can be lost in soil and back into bodies of water. This process is called leaching. * Most nitrogen comes from the atmosphere, and is released through rainfall and lightning. The Phosphorus Cycle https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/961-the-phosphorus-cycle Phosphorus Description All plants and animals need phosphorus to survive. Phosphates her make up DNA, RNA, and lipids. A common use for phosphorus is fertilizers. When humans use these fertilizers much of the phosphorus runs off into water, causing algae to overgrow, and in turn starving the water body of oxygen. Phosphorus Cycle Steps (part 1) * Weathering causes rocks to release phosphate ions (PO43-), and other minerals, which moves to water and soil. * The phosphate in the soils taken by producers such as plants; these plants are then consumed by primary consumers, where it