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biogeochemical cycle
envs 102 exam 2 review
Term | Definition |
---|---|
biogeochemical cycles | describe the movement of matter through reservoirs in the lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere |
why is oxygen important? | it is found in all spheres, and many organisms rely on it to sustain life via respiration and blood circulation |
why is phosphorous important? | needed for living things to keep themselves alive - forms nucleic acids, such as DNA, RNA, ATP |
why is nitrogen important? | needed to sustain life - found in proteins and nucleic acids |
why is carbon important? | the primary component of organic molecules and the backbone for living things - needed for carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins |
carbon cycle | stocks: atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and fossil fuels flows: photosynthesis, respiration, deforestation, acidification, volcanic eruption, sediment accumulation, decomposition, fossil fuel burning, mining, soil compaction |
nitrogen cycle | stocks: atmosphere, biosphere (also hydrsophere) flows: nitrogen fixation (N2-->NH3), nitrification (NH3-->NO3), denitrification (NO3-->N2), decomposition, soil uptake, assimilation |
Haber-Bosch Process | creates artificial nitrogen for fertilizer (NH4) |
nitrogen forms ___% of atmosphere | 78% |
nitrogen fixation | N2-->NH3 bacteria: bacillus, clostridium, rhizobium, azotobacter |
nitrification | NH3-->complex compounds, ie NO2, NO3 bacteria: nitrosomonas, nitrobacter |
denitrification | NO3-->N2 bacteria: pseudomonas, denitrificans |
phosphorous cycle | stocks: lithosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, underground reserves flows: fertilizer runoff, weathering, geological uplift, sediment formation, leaching, plant and animal uptake, decomposition |