unit 1 part 2 (1.1.4 - 1.1.7 Flashcards
Name some carbon sinks
Oceans, plants, soils, atmospher
Name some carbon sources
fossil fuel combustion, animal ag., deforestation
animal ag= cow farts, burps, etc
what are some fossil fuels
coal, oil, nat. gas
Describe photosynthesis
removes CO2 from atm and converts it into C6H12O6; considered a carbon sink
Describe cellular respiration
release of stored energy by plants and animals; uses O2 to break down and release energy; releases CO2 into atm, so would be considered carbon source
Which processes work very quickly and cycle carbon between biosphere and atm in balanced amt?
photosynthesis and cellular respiration
What is burial
slow, geological process that stores C in underground sinks like sedimentary rock or fossil fuels
how are fossil fuels formed
from fossilized remains of organic matter turning to coal, oil, natural gas
which takes longer: burial or extraction and combustion?
burial (formation of FFs) takes longer; extraction and combustion are thus said to release CO2
As compared to the C cycle, the N reservoirs….
hold N for relatively short period of time
What is the main N reservoir
Atmosphere since N exists mostly as gas
why is nitrogen a critical plant and animal nutrient?
it is needed for DNA and amino acids for protein
What is nitrogen fixation
Process of N2 gas being converted into biologically available ammonia or nitrate
synthetic vs bacterial fixation (nitrogen fixation section)
synth=done by humans; combust fossil fuels to gas convert to nitrate
bacterial=bacteria in soil convert to ammonia
Define assimilation
plants & animals taking N in and incorporating it into their body
Plant roots take in NO3- or NH3 from soil; animals assimilate N by eating plants or other animals
Ammonification
soil bacteria, microbes & decomposers converting waste & dead biomass back into NH3 and returning it to soil
Nitrification
conversion of ammonium (NH4) into nitrite(NO2) and then into nitrate(N03) by soil bacteria
Denitrification
Conversion of soil Nitrogen (nitrate,NO3) into nitrous oxide gas, which returns to the atm.
describe leaching and eutrophication
leaching: synth. fertilizer is carried out of soil by water
eutrophication: nutrients become highly concentrated in body of water; basically excess nutrients
T or F: compared to hyrdologic, nitrogen, and carbon cycle, the phosphorous cycle is fast
False; it is actually v. slow in comparison
long time for P to weather out of rocks & carry into soil/bodies water
Why is phosphorous a limiting nutrient
bc it cycles so slowly and plant growth is often limited as a result
Why is phosphorous needed by all organisms?
For DNA, ATP(energy), and bone/tooth enamel in some mammals
Is there a gas phase for phosphorous?
no!
What is a major natural Phosphorous source
weathering of rocks that contain P minerals
weathering is so slow that P is a limiting nutrient
Synthetic source of Phosphorous
mining phosphate minerals & adding to products like synthetic fertilizers & detergents/cleaners
Assimilation & excretion/decomp form a ___ within P cycle just like assimilation & ammonification in N Cycle, photosynth & resp. in C cycle
mini loop
What happens because phosphate doesnt dissolve well in water?
sedimentation
What is geological uplift
tectonic plate collision forcing up rock layers that form mountains; allows P cycle to start over bc rock can now weather and release phosphate
What is key to the hydrologic cycle
State of matter (solid/liquid/gas) as well as where water is moving are key in H2O cycle
What drives the H20 cycle
energy from sun
What is evapotranspiration?
amount of H2O that enters atm. from transpiration & evap. combined
what are the most important freshwater reservoirs for humans and animals?
Aquifers and surface waters (i.e lakes/rivers)
What part of plants allows for evap?
Leaf openings called stomata open, allowing water to evap. into atm. from leaf
What condition must be met for precipitation to recharge groundwater?
Ground must be permeable for precip. to recharge through infiltration
