Biogeochemical Cycling - Chemical 14 Flashcards
Describe the GAIA hypothesis
-J. Lovelock observed how earth is a closed system when it comes to matter –> earth is superorganism with limited resources
from an evolutionary standpoint, what is the contribution of cyanobacteria to primary production today?
- initially produced the available oxygen in the atmosphere
- endosymbiotic theory ( clinical role)
from an evolutionary standpoint, what is the contribution of cyanobacteria to primary production today?
- initially produced the available oxygen in the atmosphere
- endosymbiotic theory ( clinical role)
are humans involved in biogeochemical cycling of nutirent ?
yes…
give an example of the recycling of a nutrient by humans
- ## digestive system ( intake glucose and recycle into mineral CO2 and cell mass)
give an example of the recycling of a nutrient by humans
- digestive system ( intake glucose and recycle into mineral CO2 and cell mass)
- mineralization of amino acids into urea
What examples are there of loss of self-regulation and why ?
-global warming
What examples are there of self-regulation of the superorganism?
-
How has earth maintained conditions favorable for life?
-biogeochemical cycling helps maintain life
what is an example of a unidirectional biogeochemical activity?
- evolution of the carbon cycle
- “ “ oxygen cyle
what are stromatolites?
-microbial mats (layered cyanobacteria that are taken advantage by other evolved microorganisms;symtrophy) fosilized
how did stromatolites form?
- the microbial mats are exposed to conditions that allow fossilisation ( symtrophic environment present)
what might be a limiting factor to microbial growth rate with the evolution of oxygen production ?
-the development of a symtrophic cycles ( important cycles developed so that they can use resources)
How is biomass in the oceans generated?
- accumulation of food chain
- -> phytoplankton< zooplankton< Predatory zooplankton< filter feeders < predatory fish < ect.
what reaction drive biogeochemical cycling?
- physical transformations ( dissolution, precipitation, volatilization, fixation)
ie. pH change, carbon dioxide reabsorption in ocean forming carbonates that are used to form coral, through fixation process the loss of material, nitrogen cycling - chemical transformations ( biosynthesis and biodegradationi)
- sunlight and energy flow through the ecosystems is the driving forces
Spirulina, what is it?
-blue green algae = cyanobacteria, filamentous
what makes microbes good at geochemical reactions?
- they are super adaptable
- -> size and surface area
- ->ubiquity
- ->diversity (the ability to adapt metabolically)
- ->high rates of enzymatic activity (growth rate)
what is the result of carbon fixation?
- net primary productivity of some natural and managed ecosystems
consider evolution and the present day . what is the contribution of cyanobacteria to primary production today ?
-cyanobacterium theory
how does carbon cycle within a habitat?
see slide
what are the major carbon inputs into the environment?
lab 8
- plant materials (through photosynthesis)
- fungal cell walls/arthropods
what role does the nitrogen cycle play in maintaining earths atmosphere?
- ## level of nitrogen is maintain based on the amount of other gases present in the atmosphere
what are we doing in lab 5?
- amminia oxdiation( nitirification)
- nitrite oxidation (nitrification)
- nitrate reduction to ammnonium or nitrogen gas (denitrification)
- nitrate reduction to fixed N compounds like a.a ammonia annd amino groups (assimilation)
- ammonium mineralization (mineralization)
what are we doing in lab 5?
- ammonia oxidation( nitrification)
- nitrite oxidation (nitrification)
- nitrate reduction to ammonium or nitrogen gas (denitrification)
- nitrate reduction to fixed N compounds like a.a ammonia and amino groups (assimilation)
- ammonium mineralization (mineralization)
