Transcript Chemical Cycling

Biogeochemical
Cycles
Need to consider
interactions between abiotic
(non living) and biotic (living)
factors.
 Also consider energy flow
and chemical cycling.

Carbon,
nitrogen and
oxygen can be recycled
between living and nonliving things in an
ecosystem and the
biosphere.
Even
though energy flow
and chemical cycling are
different in nature, they
are related to feeding
patterns within
ecosystems…
Producers incorporate chemicals from nonliving environment into organic compounds.
 Consumers feed on producers, incorporating
some chemicals into their bodies and release
some as waste.
 As organisms die, decomposers break them
down to supply chemicals in the inorganic
form for soil, water and air.
 Three types of cycling:
◦ Carbon and Oxygen Cycle
◦ Nitrogen Cycle
◦ Water Cycle

Chemical Cycling
 In
the atmosphere carbon is found in
its inorganic form CO2.
 Producers use the CO2 to form organic
compounds during photosynthesis.
 During cellular respiration, both
producers and consumers break down
organic compounds and release CO2 as a
waste product.
 Non-living processes contribute to CO2
production:
Carbon and Oxygen Cycle
◦ Burning of fossil fuels
 Oil
 Coal
 Natural gas
◦ Burning of wood
◦ Forest fires
◦ Human activities
◦ Volcanic eruptions
Carbon and Oxygen Cycle

Nitrogen
◦ Found in all living organisms
◦ An element of Amino Acids
 Produce proteins
◦ Makes up 80% of the Earth’s atmosphere
◦ Producers can use it in the form of ammonium or
nitrate
 Nitrogen fixation
◦ Nitrogen gas to ammonia
 Nitrification
◦ Ammonium to nitrates
Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen Cycle
Solar energy evaporates water from land
and water surfaces adding gaseous water
vapor into the atmosphere.
 Water vapor cools and condenses falling
to the ground as precipitation.

◦
◦
◦
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
Rain
Snow
Hail
Sleet
Plants get water from soil, consumers by
eating and drinking.
Water Cycle
 Some
water can be lost by plants
through the process called
transpiration, which is then
evaporated into the atmosphere.
 Water not retained by plants or
soil will run off into rivers and
streams, or restore ground waters.
Water Cycle