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Biogeochemical Cycles

This educational guide delves into biogeochemical cycles, such as photosynthesis and respiration in the oxygen cycle, carbon intake and release in plants and consumers, nitrogen fixation by soil bacteria, and how excess phosphorus affects ecosystems. Discover how these cycles sustain life on Earth and the importance of maintaining their balance.

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Biogeochemical Cycles

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  1. Biogeochemical Cycles

  2. Oxygen Cycle • Autotrophs: Release O2 into atmosphere via photosynthesis • All life: Absorbs O2 to be used during cellular respiration • Respiration: creates ATP energy for cells O2 O2

  3. Carbon Cycle CO2 • Carbon = (organic molecules) carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids • Plants & autotrophs: • Intake: Absorb CO2 from atmosphere • Create glucose & sugar via photosynthesis • Output: Release CO2 during respiration CO2

  4. Carbon Cycle • Consumers • Intake: Carbon moves up the food chain as 1 feeds on another • Output: Release CO2 during respiration CO2 CO2

  5. Carbon Cycle • Decomposers • Input: Feed on dead organic matter • Output: Release CO2 during respiration • Output: Organic molecules returned to soil during decomposition C C C

  6. Carbon Cycle • Human Industry • Output: Release CO2 into atmosphere when fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) are burned CO2

  7. Nitrogen Cycle N2 • N = 78% atmosphere (most unusable) • Soil Bacteria • Nitrogen fixation: convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia • Nitrification: ammonia converted into nitrates Ammonia Nitrates

  8. Nitrogen Cycle • Plants • Absorb nitrates through their roots Nitrates

  9. Nitrogen Cycle • Animals • Ingest nitrates through the food chain (plants eaten) Nitrates

  10. Nitrogen Cycle • Decomposers • Return ammonia to soil by feeding on dead matter Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia

  11. Nitrogen Cycle • Lightning • Energy breaks atmospheric nitrogen into Nitrogen oxide • Nitrogen oxide falls in rain to soil

  12. Phosphorus (P) Cycle • No phosphorus in atmosphere • Rocks • Phosphorus released by weathering of rocks P

  13. Phosphorus (P) Cycle • Plants • Absorb P into their roots P

  14. Phosphorus (P) Cycle • Animals • Ingest P when plants eaten • P continues to move up food chain P

  15. Phosphorus (P) Cycle • Decomposers • Breakdown dead matter and release P into soil P

  16. Phosphorus (P) Cycle • Human Contribution • Adding excess P from fertilizers…. P washes into lakes, etc… • Excess P causes extreme algae growth

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