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Cycles of Matter

Discover how nutrients like water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus are crucial for life to thrive through biogeochemical cycles. Explore the recycling processes in the biosphere to maintain ecological balance. Learn about key elements and their roles within ecosystems.

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Cycles of Matter

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  1. Cycles of Matter

  2. More Than Just Energy • All living organisms need energy to survive, but they also need….. • Water • Minerals • And other life sustaining compounds. • These additional necessities are referred to as nutrients

  3. Nutrient Cycles • Every living organism needs nutrients to grow and carry out essential life functions. • Nutrients are passed between organisms and the environment through biogeochemical cycles.

  4. Recycling In the Biosphere • Unlike the one way flow of energy (from sun/inorganic chemicals to producers & consumers), matter is recycled within and between ecosystems.

  5. Biogeochemical Cycle • A cycle in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another, and from one part of the biosphere to another. • Connects the biological, chemical, and geological aspects of the biosphere.

  6. Nutrients are often in short supply. • Recycling in necessary to keep ecosystems functioning. • Recycling prevents many chemicals from reaching toxic concentrations.

  7. Water Cycle • All living things require H20 to survive. • This H20 is recycled throughout the atmosphere.

  8. Carbon Cycle • Carbon is the key ingredient in all living organisms. • Carbon is found in the ocean, air, and in certain rocks. • Of all the carbon on the Earth, less than 1% actively circulates within the biosphere.

  9. 4 Diff types processes in the C cycle • Biological- ex. Photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition. • Geochemical- the release of CO2 into the atmosphere by volcanoes. • Mixed biochemical processes- the burial of carbon rich remains of organisms, then the conversion of these organisms into coal and fossil fuels. • Human activity- mining, burning fossil fuels, etc.

  10. Nitrogen Cycle • Nitrogen is used to make amino acids, which are used to make proteins. • N2 gas makes up 78% of air. • NH3 (ammonia), nitrate, & nitrite are found in organism waste.

  11. Nitrogen Fixation • Nitrogen gas is the most abundant form of nitrogen. • Only certain types of bacteria can use this type of nitrogen. • They convert nitrogen gas into ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites. This is called nitrogen fixation.

  12. Once the bacteria “fix” the nitrogen, plants can use the nitrogen to make proteins. • Consumers can then eat the plants and obtain the proteins and the nitrogen. • Consumers die and are decomposed returning the N to the soil in the form of ammonium • Bacteria can now convert this N back into N gas using the process of denitrification

  13. The Phosphorus Cycle • Phosphorus is essential to organisms because it helps forms important molecules like DNA and RNA • Most phosphorus exists in the form of inorganic phosphate. • Inorganic phosphate is released into the soil and water as sediments wear down.

  14. Phosphate, eventually enters the ocean, where it is used by marine organisms. • Some phosphate stays on land and cycles between organisms and the soil. Plants bind the phosphates into organic compounds like proteins.

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