Cycles of Matter

1. Cycles of Matter Chapter 3 The Biosphere Section 3-3; pages 74-80

2. BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES-connecting the biological, geological, and chemical aspects of the biosphere Matter within ecosystems is recycled within and between ecosystems Matter Statement:

3. biotic abiotic BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES • Cycle - water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen & other elements cycle from the abiotic (“geo” nonliving environment) to biotic (“bio” living organisms) & then back to the environment. • Simply put, biogeochemical cycles pass the same molecules around again and again within the biosphere.

4. atmosphere “bank” BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES • Most element cycles have an atmospheric “bank” where the element is found in large amounts.

5. atmosphere “bank” RIP BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES • Decomposers (or combustion or erosion) break down organic matter. • What is the result of their actions? • Elements move from the “bank” into organisms. • Organisms release elements in daily activities or after death.

6. H2O C O N BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES • Three example cycles: • Water • Carbon (carbon-oxygen) • Nitrogen

7. WATER CYCLE • evaporation – heating of water from liquid to atmospheric gas. • condensation – cooling of water from vapor to tiny droplets that form clouds. • precipitation – droplets too large to be contained in clouds and water returns to earth as rain, snow, or hail. • transpiration – evaporation of water from leaves of plants. • runoff – excess water from precipitation that comes from streams and rivers and carried to oceans and lakes. • accumulation – collection of water on earth.

8. Refer to Figure 3-11, page 75 Accumulation http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclesummary.html

9. CO2 respiration photosynthesis O2 CARBON CYCLE • The exchange of gases during photosynthesis and respiration is a major example of the living-nonliving cycle of carbon-oxygen.

10. How does carbon enter the living part of the cycle? CO2 + H2O ----> C6H12O6 + O2 CARBON CYCLE CO2 CO2 CO2 CO2 CO2 CO2 CO2 CO2

11. CARBON CYCLE • Carbon is returned to the atmosphere environment by: • cellular respiration • erosion • combustion • decomposition

12. CARBON CYCLE • respiration – process where organisms obtain energy from breakdown of glucose. • photosynthesis – plants use light energy (sun) to make glucose. • decomposition – breakdown of dead organic matter. • combustion – burning of fossil fuels (gas, petroleum, coal) which release CO2 into atmosphere. • erosion – runoff of soil into body of water

13. Carbon Cycle Refer to Figure 3-13, page 77 http://www.windows.ucar.edu/earth/climate/images/carboncycle.jpg

14. N2 free nitrogen NITROGEN CYCLE • 79% of the atmosphere is nitrogen gas but it is in a form most living things cannot use.

15. If we can’t take in free nitrogen, how do we acquire it so we can use it in our bodies? Why do we need nitrogen in our bodies? NITROGEN CYCLE

16. How do we acquire usable nitrogen? Nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert nitrogen into nitrates. Plants absorb nitrates. Animals eat plants. N2 in air NITRATES nitrogen-fixing bacteria NITROGEN CYCLE

17. How does the nitrogen return to the atmosphere? Denitrifying bacteria convert the nitrates back into nitrogen. denitrifying bacteria N2 in air NITRATES nitrogen-fixing bacteria NITROGEN CYCLE

18. protein Nitrogen NITROGEN CYCLE • Why do we need nitrogen? ?

19. nitrogen-fixing bacteria RIP denitrifying bacteria Organic material NITROGEN CYCLESimplified Free N2 in Atmosphere NITRATES

20. NITROGEN CYCLESimplified • free N2 bank – atmosphere • nitrogen fixation – conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia • nitrates – converted form of nitrogen from atmosphere. • organisms – living things • organic material – components of living things made of C, H, O, N • denitrification – ammonia and nitrates converted to nitrogen and released back into atmosphere

21. Refer to Figure 3-14, page 78 N2 in Atmosphere NO3- & NO2- NH3

22. All Cycles Are Related