Transcript Cycles of Matter - Brookwood High School

Cycles of
Matter
All matter cycles...it is neither
created nor destroyed...
The Earth is essentially a closed
system with respect to matter,
we can say that all matter on
Earth cycles .
Biogeochemical cycles: the
movement (or cycling) of matter
through a system.
We will look at 4 cycles.
Hydrological
or
Water Cycle
Many processes work
together to keep Earth's water
moving in a cycle. There are
six processes:
Condensation
Precipitation
Runoff
Infiltration (seepage)
Evaporation
Transpiration
Condensation: process of
water changing from a
vapor to a liquid
Precipitation is water
being released from
clouds as rain, sleet,
snow, or hail.
Infiltration (seepage): water that
seeps into the ground.
Precipitation that reaches the
surface of the Earth but does not
infiltrate the soil is called runoff.
Evaporation: water
changing from a
liquid to a gaseous
form.
Transpiration: H20
evaporating from
plant leaves.
Water cycle
Carbon Cycle
4 different processes involved in
the Carbon Cycle:
1) Biological
photosynthesis,
respiration & decaying of plants
and animals.
2) Geochemical
release of
carbon dioxide gas (CO2) by
volcanoes.
3) Mixed biogeochemical
fossil fuels
4) Human activity
burning fossils fuels, burning
and cutting forests
Nitrogen Cycle
All organisms need nitrogen to
build amino acids.
Nitrogen gas (N2) is the most
abundant form of nitrogen
78% of Earth’s atmosphere
However
only certain bacteria
can use N2 so
they convert
nitrogen gas into ammonia
(nitrogen fixation)
which
then other bacteria make nitrates
and nitrites
which can be
used to make proteins
Decomposers:
Return nitrogen to the soil
in the form of ammonia…it can
be taken up again or…
Go through a process called
denitrification. Bacteria in
the soil convert nitrates
(NO3-) and (NO2-) into
nitrogen gas (N2).
Phosphorus Cycle
The largest
reservoir of
phosphorus is in
sedimentary rock.
The cycle starts with the
introduction of phosphate (PO4)
into soils from the weathering of
rocks
which then enter the
ecosystem through plants.
Movement of Phosphorus
Plants Phosphate (PO4) Animals
Herbivores
PO4
Carnivores
Movement of Phosphorus
Carnivores
Urine &
Feces
PO4
Soil
Dead plants
PO4
Decomposition
of dead
animals
Primary Productivity: rate of
organic matter that is
created by producers
What limits production?
Availability of nutrients
Limiting nutrient: when
growth is limited by a single
nutrient that is scarce.
Examples?
Algal bloom:
Lots of nutrients =
Lots of algae grow =
Lots of food, but what if there
are not enough consumers?
Look at pg. 494/ 16.3
What is it called when lakes &
ponds slowly begin to fill?