Cycling Matter 1:4

Question 1

The Carbon Cycle

Answer 1

• All life on Earth is based on molecules of carbon
• starts with plants taking in CO2 through photosynthesis
• Carbon sinks (reservoirs) take in more C02 than they put release into the atmosphere. Ex. the Borel forest
• Borel forest has a vast amount of peat (deep layer of moss and dead animal decay due to lack of 02 in saturated soil)

Question 2

The Phosphorus Cycle

Answer 2

• phosphurous is transported through H20(l) and doest cycle through the atmosphere. Phosphours enters the soil through organims water/decay (rapid cycling ) and from the weathering of rocks (slow cycling). Decompostion is what release phosphates back into the ocean
• phosphorous is in ATP, DNA, Teeth and bones. Also pet of the phospholipid layer of the membrane.

Question 3

The Nitrogen Cycle

Answer 3

• 78% of the atmosphere is N2
• N2 is in DNA
• Non-reactive gas
• Nitrogen fixation: turning N2(g) into ammonia NH3 by bacteria in the soil.
• Nitrifying bacteria: turn ammonia NH3 to nitrates NO3- and Nitrites NO2-

Question 4

Denitrification

Answer 4

Converting Nitrates No3- and nitrited No2 back into N2

Question 5

Euthophication

Answer 5

excessive plant growth and decay caused by excessive amount of chemical nutrients

Question 6

What happens when there is too much phosphorous ina water system?

Answer 6

• when there Is too much phosphorous in a water system, an algae bloom occurs which can cause eutrophication in the watersystem. It blocks light from other marine plants and takes the o2 out of the water when dead.

Question 7

Define slow cycling

Answer 7

when substances accumulate are unavliable to organisims

Question 8

Define rapid cycling

Answer 8

when nutirents are passed by resivoir to resivoir

Question 9

The Sulfur cycle

Answer 9

• sulfur is normally returned to soil through acid deposition ( deposit of acid through snow, sleet, rain) Too much acid rain from things like fossil fuels releasing sulfar dioxide; can damage plants and lakes and nuturents may be leeched from soil
• Bacetira convert sulfur compounds and add sulfur back into soil
• acid deposition is not only limited to Sulfur. others: N2, P and C

Question 10

CHNOPS

Answer 10

Biogeochmical cycle

Carbon, Hydrogen (hydrologic), Oxygen ( o2 and H2O),, Nitrogen, Phosphours and Sulfate.