Biogeochemical cycling Flashcards
describe what a biogeochemical cycle is
A pathway by which a chemical substance moves through biotic (biosphere) and abiotic (lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere) compartments of the earth
what are the three types of biogeochemical cycles
- carbon cycle
- water cycle
- nitrogen cycle
describe the hydrologic cycle
- Hydrogen and oxygen are part of the hydrologic cycle.
- This is the process of water being cycled around earth
describe the carbon cycle
- carbon is an essential element of life
- It is a component of four macromolecules we need to survive
what are the four macromolecules we need to survive
- nucleic acids
- protein
- carbohydrates
- fats
what are the essential chemicals of the carbon cycle (CHNOPS)
- carbon
- hydrogen
- nitrogen
- oxygen
- phosphorus
- sulfur
describe the nitrogen cycle
- nitrogen is a major component in amino acids which make up proteins
- organisms must be able to gain nitrogen in order to grow and carry out their daily functions
what percentage of nitrogen is air
78%
can plants absorb nitrogen
- plants cannot absorb nitrogen gas
- plants can only absorb nitrates NO3
what are nitrogen fixers
NITROGEN GAS TO AMMONIUM IONS
what are ammonifiers
WASTE TO AMMONIA
what are nitrifiers
AMMONIA TO NITRITES
NITRITES TO NITRATES
what are denitrifiers
NITRATES TO NITROGEN GAS
what is lighting
- converts nitrogen gas to nitrites
describe the entire nitrogen cycle with including the different bacterias involved
- nitrogen gas in the air (N2)
- through nitrogen fixation nitrogen gas (N2) is converted into ammonia (NH3). Ammonification also occurs by converting urea to ammonia (NH3).
- through the process of nitrification ammonia is converted to nitrites and then nitrates
