MODULE 3: BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES Flashcards
the ability to do work and is everywhere
energy
the different forms of energy?
o Mechanical (kinetic energy); counterpart is potential energy (stored energy)
o Radiant (solar)
o Sound
o Chemical
o Heat
o Electrical
o Nuclear
two broad categories on the sources of energy
Non-renewable energy and Renewable
energy
energy sources which cannot be replaced once they are mined, harvested, or
used up
non-renewable
non renewable energy examples
- minerals (uranium as source of nuclear energy)
- fossil fuels (like petroleum, natural gas, and coal)
- non-living or living (can renew themselves
ASSUMING they are not killed off or over-harvested
renewable energy
renewable energy examples
- bioethanol (i.e., corn, sugar, soy, Jatropha)
- non-biological (solar, water, wind, waves, or
tides)
organisms that can produce their own food
autotrophs/primary producers
energy transforms to one form to another
law of conservation
the process in which light energy is converted to chemical energy in the form of sugars.
photosynthesis
chemosynthesis
energy source comes from chemicals instead of sunlight
feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter
decomposer
- is based on two essential Laws of Thermodynamics
energy flow
what are the two essential laws of thermodynamics
law of conservation and law of increased entropy
energy continuously increases
law of increased entropy
Why are big animals rare?
they consume more so they have more competition
synthesis and storage of organic molecules during the growth and reproduction of photosynthetic organisms
primary production
as you move to the pyramid, lesser numbers of individuals
pyramid of numbers
as you move to the pyramid, lesser numbers of individuals
pyramid of numbers
a mass of biological material at different levels for a given time
pyramid of biomass
energy at the base of the pyramid will always remain the highest
pyramid of energy
cannot be inverted
pyramid of energy
organism continues to feed; increase in concentration of a pollutant in an organism
bioaccumulation
other organisms that feed on bioaccumulated individuals
biomagnification
3 Ecological (trophic) pyramids
pyramid of:
numbers, biomass, energy
If the producer has a total biomass of 100kgs, only about 10 kgs will be transferred to the primary consumer, then 1kg to the secondary consumer level and so on
10% rule
- the recycling of inorganic matter between living organisms and their environment
biogeochemical cycles
a closed system – matter that makes up living organisms is conserved and recycled within the earth
biogeochemical cycles
- basic components of a cycle may be used over and over again in slightly different forms but always return to the original form to begin the cycle again
biogeochemical cycles
CHNOPS
carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur
examples of biogeochemical cycles
water cycle, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, sulfur cycle
water cycle
evaporation, condensation, precipitation, transpiration
IMPORTANCE OF BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
- enable the transformation of matter into different forms
- enable the movement of substances from one locality to another
facilitate the storage of elements - assist in functioning of ecosystems
- link living organisms with living organisms, and living organisms with abiotic factors
- regulate the flow of substance
SIMILAR PATTERNS IN THE CYCLE OF MATTER
First: all cycles are driven by radiant energy that powers processes like photosynthesis and evaporation
- Second: these cycles involve reservoirs where chemicals are stored or concentrated for long periods of time
- Third: these cycles function on both local and global levels, linking distant
ecosystems
common elements associated with living systems
CHNOPS
take a variety of chemical forms
exist for long periods in atmosphere, on land, in water, or beneath earth
biogeochemical cycles
the recycling of inorganic matter between living organisms and their environment
