Biogeochemical Cycles

Question 1

biogeochemical cycle

Answer 1

path an element takes as it moves from abiotic systems through producers, consumers & decomposers and back again

nutrient flow in biotic/abiotic factors

Question 2

soil organic matter

Answer 2

organic (carbon containing) compounds found in soil

Question 3

humus

Answer 3

decayed organic matter in soils

Question 4

watershed

Answer 4

area drained by a single stream or river

Question 5

global water cycle

Answer 5

estimated amount of water moving btwn major reservoirs over a course of a year, powered by sun

Question 6

groundwater

Answer 6

water below land surface

Question 7

aquifer

Answer 7

underground layer of soil saturated w/ water

• takes thousands of years to recharge
• contained/closed or uncontained/open

Question 8

water table

Answer 8

upper limit of underground layer of soil saturated w/ water

Question 9

global nitrogen table

Answer 9

movement of nitrogen among terrestrial ecosystem, oceans & atmospheres

Question 10

nitrogen fixation

Answer 10

incorporation of atmospheric of N2 into NH3, which can be used to make many organic compounds
- occurs in a few lineages of bacteria & archaea

Question 11

dead zone

Answer 11

anoxic

Question 12

global carbon cycle

Answer 12

worldwide movement of carbon among terrestrial ecosystems, oceans & atmospheres

Question 13

how lost nutrients can be replaced

Answer 13

(1) ions become rock weather
(2) blow in on soil particles OR dissolved in streams
(3) nitrogen-fixing bacteria conversions

Question 14

biogeochemical cycle questions

Answer 14

(1) nature/size of storage reservoir
(2) movement patterns: speed & process
(3) interactions

Question 15

contained/closed aquifer

Answer 15

nonporous rock layers overlie aquifer

Question 16

uncontained/open aquifer

Answer 16

replenished water percolating down from surface