Biogeochemical Cycles - W2 Flashcards
Define: Transpiration
When energy from the sun evaporates water from the land and sea, forming water vapour. Water vapour is also lost from plants
Define: Respiration
Dead plants and animals decompose (broken down by microorganisms) and the decomposes release Co2 into the atmosphere
Define: Photosynthesis
Makes food for the plant - requires energy in the form of light. Is also an endothermic reaction (where energy is taken in)
Define: Nitrogen Fixation
Leguminous plants. Includes peas, beans, clover and acacia
Define: Reservoir Pool
Large, slow moving, generally non biological component
Define: Percolation
When water drains back into the sea through the soil and rocks
Define: Denitrification
Turns nitrates back into n3 gas, no benefit to other living organisms
Define: Precipitation
When water falls from the clouds, supplying fresh water for animals and plants
Define: Consumption
Plants uptake phosphorus from the soil and animals consume those plants and each other, passing phosphorus through the food chain
Define: Leguminous plants
Formed a mutual relationship with rhizobium bacteria. Bacteria live in the nodules on the plant roots, providing nitrogen to the plant and in return the plant provides living space to the bacteria
Define: Exchange (or Cycling) Pool
Smaller, but more active portion that is exchanging rapidly between organisms and their immediate environment
4 key processes of the Water Cyle
Evaporation
Precipitation
Transpiration
Percolation
Water Cycle: Describe the 4 stages
1) Energy from the sun EVAPORATES water from the land and sea, forming water vapour. Water vapour is also lost from plants via TRANSPIRATION
2) Warm water vapour rises in the atmosphere where it cools and condenses to for clouds
3) Water falls from the clouds as PRECIPITATION, supplying fresh water for animals and plants
4) Water drains back into the sea through soil and rocks via PERCOLATION
What are the 3 Water Cycle reservoirs?
Oceans - 97%
Glaciers and poland ice caps - 2%
Lakes, rivers and ground water - 1%
3 key processes of the Carbon cycle:
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Consumption
Carbon Cycle: Describe the 3 stages
1) Whole cycle is powered by PHOTOSYNTHESIS. Plants use Co2 from the atmosphere to produce carbohydrates, lipids and proteins (CARBON-BASED life)
2) CONSUMPTION passes carbon compounds from plants to animals in a food chain
3) Plants and animals RESPIRE, which releases Co2 back into the atmosphere
4) When plants and animals die, their carbon compounds enter the soil
5) Dead plants and animals DECOMPOSE (broken down by microorganisms), the decomposers release Co2 into the atmosphere via RESPIRATION
5 Carbon cycle reservoirs
Animal/plant biomass Soils Dissolved in oceans Atmosphere Fossil fuels
What are the 4 Nitrogen cycle processes?
Nitrogen fixation
Consumption
Agricultural run off
Denitrification
Name the 4 types of bacteria involved in the Nitrogen cycle
Decomposers
Nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Nitrifying bacteria
Denitrifying bacteria
What is Nitrogen Fixation?
Leguminous plants include peas, beans, clover and acacia
4 reservoirs of the Nitrogen cycle
Atmosphere
Sediments of lakes, rivers and ocean
Soil
Animal/plant biomass
4 key processes of the Phosphorus cycle
Weathering of rocks
Consumption/Decomposition
Leaching
Geological uplift
5 stages of the Phosphorus cycle
1) WEATHERING of rocks releases phosphorus containing compounds into the soil
2) Some can LEACH into groundwater and may reach the sea
3) Plants uptake phosphorus from the soil and animals CONSUME those plants and each other, passing phosphorus through the food chain
4) Phosphorus returns to the soil/sediment via excretion or decomposition
5) Sediment from lakes and oceans form new rocks. The new rocks can be moved via GEOLOGICAL UPLIFT. If they are moved above sea level, phosphorus can be released via weathering
4 reservoirs of the Phosphorus cycle
Sedimentary rocks
Soil
Oceans
Animal/plant biomass
