Ecosystems And Biogeochemical Cylce Flashcards
Main elements of life
CHO, Sulfur, Phosphorus, Nitrogen
Species
Organisms that are similar in that they can breed with each other
Population
Many individuals of the same species in an area
Community
Many populations surviving in the same area
Ecosystem
Abiotic and Biotic factors living in an area
Detritus
Waste from plants and animals, including dead bodies.
How do Autotrophs make energy
- Photosynthesis
2. Chemosynthesis (Bacteria, thermal energy plus S plus N makes energy).
Four Biogeochemical Cycles
Hydrological, Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus.
Water Cycle
Purposes: redistribute water and nutrients over planet and clean water.
Stage 1. Return water to atmosphere through Evaporation, Transpiration, and Cell Resp.
Stage 2. Return of water to earth through Precipitation.
Stage 3. Return of water to oceans through surface runoff and groundwater.
Leachate
Water that has picked up chemicals
Contaminants
Water can collect contaminants through dumps, farms, and sewage. Things like CO2, NO X, and SO X increase acidity (carbonic acid, etc).
Carbon Cycle
Deals with carbon and oxygen.
The carbon is switched between organic (living things, peat bogs) and inorganic (CO2, Calcium Carbonate [limestone], and Bicarbonate [rocks]).
Fast Cycle of Carbon
Cycles between the two from photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
Slow Cycle of Carbon
- Organic carbon resivoirs:
Living Organisms: Carbon locked away until death or shed (fingernails, hair).
Peat Bogs and FF: living organisms die and either undergoe permafrost (lowering decomp rates) or are buried by sediment. If given enough time, pressure, and heat, they turn into gas, then oil, then coal. - Inorganic: (largest to smallest resivoirs)
Earths crust: made of rocks containing carbon
Ocean: CO2 absorbs in water
Atmosphere: made up of 0.03% CO2, which is more than enough for all life on earth.
Returning carbon from resivoirs:
- Decomposition: bacteria does cell resp. Releasing carbon from organic materials.
- Combustion: forest fires, vehicles, electricity, industry.
Greenhouse gasses:
CO2: from complete combustion
CO: from incomplete combustion
Methane: Landfills and sewage
Water Vapour: combustion
Nitrous Oxides: animal waste, diesel, fert.
CFC: Refrigeration, Air Conditioners, Aerosol
Nitrogen Cycle
Purpose is to build organic matter (makes DNA and Proteins).
Atmosphere is 78% Nitrogen, but made of N2, which is broken and unusable.
N Stage 1
Nitrogen Fixation: N2 to NO3
Either by Lightning or Anaerobic Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria loving in root nodules.
N Stage 2
Assimilation: plants absorb NO3 in water, converts it into proteins and DNA. Can go up food chain.
N Stage 3
Ammonification: Stuff dies and defecate. Decomposed consume and create the toxic Ammonia (NH3).
N Stage 4
Nitrification: Anaerobic bacteria (Nitrifying bacteria) turn ammonia to NO3.
N Stage 5
Denitrification: Anaerobic bacteria that turns NO3 into N2
Phosphorus Cycle
Purpose is for ATP, phospholipid bilayers, and bones.
They are the limiting factor (element in the least amount that ends up determining life).
P Cycles
Fast: P assimilates into plants, becomes defecated or dead, dies, and is decomposed and ends up back where it started.
Slow: P locked away in rock sediments (mountains, bedrock) in PO4. Overtime water dissolved it and released it.
