Understanding Biogeochemical Cycles in Ecosystems

1. KEY CONCEPT Matter cycles in and out of an ecosystem. Biogeochemical Cycle is the movement of a particular chemical through the biological and geological, or living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem. 5 Cycles: Water Oxygen Carbon Nitrogen Phosphorus

2. precipitation condensation transpiration evaporation surface runoff lake water storage in ocean groundwater seepage Water cycles through the environment. • The hydrologic, or water, cycle is the circular pathway of water on Earth. • Organisms all have bodies made mostly of water.

3. precipitation condensation transpiration evaporation surface runoff lake water storage in ocean groundwater seepage http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=biogeochemical+cycles

4. Precipitation, runoff, groundwater, ocean water, lakes, seepage Lake, ground water, runoff, precipitation Evaporation and transpiration Condensation Solid: ice, snow

5. oxygen photosynthesis respiration carbon dioxide Elements essential for life also cycle through ecosystems. • The main processes involved in the oxygen cycleare photosynthesis and respiration. • Most organisms need oxygen for…? • Plants release oxygen as a by product during photosynthesis. • Humans and most other organisms take in oxygen and release it as carbon dioxide through cellular respiration.

6. carbon dioxide in air respiration combustion photosynthesis respiration photosynthesis decomposition of organisms carbon dioxide dissolved in water fossil fuels • Carbon is an essential component of what 3 organic molecules in the human body? • Carbohydrates, proteins and fats • Carbon is the building block of life.

7. carbon dioxide in air respiration combustion photosynthesis respiration photosynthesis decomposition of organisms carbon dioxide dissolved in water fossil fuels • The carbon cycle moves carbon from the atmosphere, through the food web, and returns to the atmosphere. • Carbon is emitted by the burning of fossil fuels. • Some carbon is stored for long periods of time in areas called carbon sinks.

8. Returns carbon to the atmosphere Breaking down dead organisms returns carbon to atmosphere Burning of fossil fuels and wood as well as emissions from factories and automobiles adds carbon to atmosphere Plants use energy from sun and CO2 from atmosphere to build organic materials

9. nitrogen in atmosphere animals plant nitrates nitrogen-fixing bacteria in roots decomposers nitrifying bacteria ammonification nitrites nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil ammonium nitrifying bacteria denitrifying bacteria • Some bacteria convert gaseous nitrogen into ammonia through a process called nitrogen fixation. • Some nitrogen-fixing bacteria live innodules on theroots of plants;others livefreely inthe soil. • The nitrogen cycle mostly takes place underground.

10. nitrogen in atmosphere animals plant nitrates nitrogen-fixing bacteria in roots decomposers nitrifying bacteria ammonification nitrites nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil ammonium nitrifying bacteria denitrifying bacteria

11. Underground Plants Decomposers & Bacteria Dead organic matter- dead animals and plants, animal excretions Bacteria

12. rain geologic uplifting weathering of phosphate from rocks runoff plants animals phosphate in soil phosphate in solution leaching sedimentation forms new rocks decomposers • Begins when: Phosphate is released by the weathering of rocks. • Phosphorus moves through the food web (from producers to consumers) and returns to the soil during decomposition. • The phosphorus cycle takes place at and below ground level.

13. rain geologic uplifting weathering of phosphate from rocks runoff plants animals phosphate in soil phosphate in solution leaching sedimentation forms new rocks decomposers • Phosphorus leaches into groundwater from the soil for use by producers. • Over many thousands of years the sediment eventually becomes rock again • Both mining and agriculture add phosphorus into the environment and can cause serious problems like algal blooms

14. Algal Bloom video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvigoZgYbT4